Three prominent Venezuelan opposition politicians close to Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado were released from prison on Sunday, about a month after the start of a broader process to free political detainees following former president Nicolás Maduro’s ouster. The releases come just days before lawmakers are set to vote on a historic amnesty bill that would cover charges used to suppress dissent during nearly three decades of socialist rule.

Those freed include former National Assembly vice president Juan Pablo Guanipa, who shared a video showing his release papers and said he had spent ten months in hiding and nine months imprisoned. Machado’s former legal adviser Perkins Rocha and former Barinas governor-elect Freddy Superlano were also released. Human rights group Foro Penal confirmed 35 releases on Sunday and said about 400 political detainees have been freed since January 8, though roughly 700 remain jailed.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, formerly Maduro’s vice president, described the amnesty initiative as a milestone toward national reconciliation. Her government has begun opening the oil sector and restoring diplomatic ties with Washington, severed in 2019.

The ongoing tension among Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the upcoming T20 World Cup has taken a new turn. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which had earlier decided to boycott its match against India in protest of Bangladesh’s exclusion, has now placed three conditions to withdraw that decision. According to reports, Pakistan will play India only if the ICC accepts these demands.

Bangladesh was excluded from the India-hosted T20 World Cup after refusing to participate due to security concerns. Despite Bangladesh’s request to change the venue, the ICC did not agree, prompting Pakistan to stand by Bangladesh and announce a boycott of its match against India. This move strained Pakistan’s relationship with the ICC. However, signs of resolution emerged after a meeting in Lahore, where PCB demanded additional compensation for Bangladesh, full participation fees despite its absence, and hosting rights for a future ICC event.

Although the ICC hinted at possible disciplinary action, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi remains firm. He is expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before making a final decision, as the cricket world watches how the ICC responds to Pakistan’s conditions.

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, achieved a landslide victory in the general election held on February 8. According to preliminary results from public broadcaster NHK, the LDP secured 352 out of 465 seats in the lower house, far exceeding the 233 needed to form a government. The official final results have not yet been announced.

Following early indications of victory, Takaichi told reporters that her party would continue to prioritize responsible and proactive fiscal policies, balancing financial stability with necessary investments. Despite recent pressure from political funding scandals and links to religious organizations, Takaichi called the snap election just three months after taking office to reaffirm public trust in her party.

The result contrasts sharply with the tenure of her two predecessors, when the LDP lost its majority amid corruption allegations and rising living costs. Analysts noted that the absence of a strong opposition has long favored the LDP’s dominance, while Takaichi’s personal popularity and approval ratings above 70 percent appear to have driven this decisive win.

Israel’s security cabinet has approved new regulations aimed at strengthening Israeli control over the occupied West Bank, according to local media reports. The measures will make it easier for Israeli settlers to purchase land in the territory and grant Israeli officials greater authority to enforce laws on Palestinians. The new steps reportedly remove restrictions that previously prevented private Jewish individuals from buying land and allow Israeli authorities to manage certain religious sites and increase supervision in areas administered by the Palestinian Authority.

The Palestinian presidency condemned the decision as a “dangerous” move and an attempt to legalize settlement expansion and land confiscation, urging the United States and the United Nations Security Council to intervene. Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also denounced the decision, calling it an effort to impose illegal sovereignty and entrench settlements. Hamas called on Palestinians to intensify confrontation with Israeli forces and settlers.

Palestinian Vice President Hussein Al-Sheikh described the measures as a violation of international law and existing agreements, warning that they undermine the two-state solution and risk escalating regional instability.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is holding discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to address Pakistan’s boycott of its T20 World Cup 2026 fixture against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. The match, one of the most commercially valuable in world cricket, was thrown into uncertainty after Pakistan’s government instructed its team not to play. According to a source cited by AFP, the ICC has opted for dialogue rather than confrontation to find a resolution.

The 20-team tournament has already been marred by political tensions. Bangladesh withdrew from playing in India over security concerns and was replaced by Scotland, prompting Pakistan to refuse to face co-hosts India in protest. Pakistan, which defeated the Netherlands in the tournament opener, risks losing two points and damaging its net run rate if it forfeits the match. India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav has confirmed his team’s readiness to travel to Colombo for the fixture.

The ICC’s mediation aims to preserve one of cricket’s most anticipated contests, as India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series for more than a decade.

In Chattogram, 112 candidates across 16 constituencies are in the final stretch of campaigning for Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12. Despite multiple parties and independents contesting, the main competition is between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, both part of an 11-party alliance. In two constituencies, BNP faces additional challenges from rebel candidates. Jamaat has also left three seats for alliance partners, while smaller parties such as Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Gano Adhikar Parishad, and Ganosamhati Andolon are also active.

The contests are particularly tight in 13 constituencies, including Mirsharai, Fatikchhari, Sandwip, Sitakunda, Hathazari, Rauzan, Rangunia, Chandgaon-Boalkhali, Kotwali-Bakalia, Halishahar-Pahartali, Bandar-Patenga, Patiya, and Anwara-Karnaphuli. Each seat features six to nine candidates, but BNP and Jamaat nominees dominate the field. Local dynamics, candidate reputations, and internal party divisions are shaping the electoral landscape.

Observers note that voter sentiment, new voter registrations, and alliance coordination could determine outcomes in several constituencies, where both BNP and Jamaat remain optimistic about their chances.

Iranian human rights activist and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi has been sentenced to a total of seven and a half years in prison, according to her lawyer and a supporting organization. Lawyer Mostafa Nili told AFP that Mohammadi received six years for 'assembly and collusion to commit crimes' and another one and a half years for 'spreading anti-state propaganda.' The ruling also includes two years of exile in Khosf, South Khorasan Province, and a two-year travel ban. Nili said the verdict is not final and can be appealed, expressing hope that Mohammadi might be temporarily released on medical grounds due to serious health issues.

Mohammadi began a hunger strike on February 2 to protest restrictions on contacting her lawyer and family. The Narges Foundation stated she ended the strike on its sixth day, though her health remains in critical condition. She was arrested on December 12 after protesting the mysterious death of lawyer Khosro Alikordi. Prosecutor Hassan Hematifar accused her of making provocative remarks at a memorial event in Mashhad.

Mohammadi, deputy director of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, is Iran’s second female Nobel Peace Prize winner after Shirin Ebadi in 2003.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and candidate of the 11-party alliance for Dhaka-11, delivered a televised address on Sunday evening urging citizens to vote early in the February 12 election. He said the alliance aims to restore democracy, protect voting rights, and establish justice. Islam pledged that no one would be able to take away people’s voting rights and called the election a continuation of the July uprising. He emphasized that the coalition’s goal is to build a new Bangladesh free from corruption, inequality, and dominance.

In his speech, Islam outlined the NCP’s vision for a reformed and fair state, highlighting plans for economic justice, environmental protection, and balanced foreign policy. He said the alliance’s 30 candidates are contesting under the ‘Shapla Kali’ symbol nationwide. He also promised to restructure the defense and police systems, ensure fair trials for past abuses, and strengthen local governance. Islam urged voters to support the alliance to achieve a “Bangladesh of change and justice.”

He added that a fair election on February 12 is essential to sustain the achievements of the August 5 revolution and to realize the dream of a reformed, independent Bangladesh.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has announced that female voters must show their faces at polling centers during the upcoming 13th parliamentary election to verify their identities. The commission stated that this measure is necessary to prevent fraudulent voting and that no exceptions will be made. To ensure privacy, female polling officers and female Ansar members will be appointed at all centers so that veiled women can reveal their faces only to female officials.

Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar explained that matching a voter’s face with the photo on the voter list is a mandatory part of the voting procedure. If a voter refuses to show her face, she will not receive a ballot paper. However, women who decline to unveil in the absence of female officers cannot be forced to vote, and no legal action will be taken against them. Legal experts and Islamic scholars noted that showing one’s face for identification is permissible under both law and religion, but the state and the commission must ensure women’s privacy.

The commission confirmed that the election will use paper ballots, eliminating biometric verification options available in electronic voting machines. Identity will therefore be confirmed solely by matching faces with voter list photos.

Thousands of people joined an election rally of BNP Standing Committee member and Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) candidate Salahuddin Ahmed in Pekua on Sunday afternoon. The rally began at 4 p.m. from Alhaj Kabir Ahmed Chowdhury Market and proceeded along Banoja Road before concluding with a street meeting at Sakurpara Station in the evening. Supporters from seven unions arrived by bus, truck, and on foot, filling the Pekua town center with chants and slogans in support of Salahuddin and the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol.

Participants carried placards and images of party leaders Tarique Rahman and Salahuddin Ahmed, while some danced and sang to seek votes. Salahuddin, standing in an open jeep, waved to the crowd and later addressed the gathering, thanking supporters for their enthusiasm and urging them to vote for the BNP symbol on February 12. He also announced that the party’s final campaign rally would be held at the Chakaria bus terminal on Monday afternoon.

Local observers described the event as one of the largest political gatherings in Pekua’s history.

With only four months remaining before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti is finalizing his squad. According to ESPN Brazil, the Italian manager has nearly settled on 11 players based on current form and consistency, sparking debate as star forward Neymar Jr. is reportedly absent from the list. Ancelotti’s Brazil has played eight matches under his guidance, showing moderate results but gaining a stable core lineup.

Reports indicate that goalkeeper Alisson Becker, defenders Marquinhos and Gabriel, and midfielders Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães are among the confirmed names. In attack, Vinícius Júnior, Estevão, Raphinha, Rodrygo, Matheus Cunha, and Gabriel Martinelli have earned Ancelotti’s trust. Neymar’s participation in the World Cup remains uncertain and will depend on his fitness evaluation. Additional players such as Bento, Hugo Souza, Alex Sandro, and Lucas Paquetá are also being considered.

Brazil is viewed as one of the favorites for the upcoming tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, as Ancelotti continues refining his tactical plans for a potential sixth World Cup title.

Ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, intelligence sources have revealed alarming plans to sabotage the voting process by attacking storage sites containing ballot papers and other election materials. The reported scheme involves nighttime assaults using explosives and petrol bombs to destroy ballots and disrupt polling. Following these reports, the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies have issued nationwide alerts, with two security agencies recommending immediate preventive measures to the government and the commission.

According to the Election Commission, ballot papers began moving from district offices to upazila-level storage on February 8, where they are being kept in temporary storerooms that could be vulnerable to attack. Security agencies claim a banned organization has instructed its field operatives to execute violent actions, including bombings and armed assaults, to create fear and undermine voter confidence. Intelligence reports also mention plans to spread false information online to destabilize the situation.

In response, authorities have strengthened security at warehouses and transport routes, increased surveillance, and deployed armed escorts. The Election Commission has emphasized that ensuring a safe and uninterrupted voting environment remains its top priority.

Internal pressure within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has intensified ahead of the 13th parliamentary election as 92 rebel candidates are contesting in 79 constituencies, defying party directives. Around 30 of these candidates are described as strong and locally popular, raising concerns that the rebellion could divide the party’s vote base and challenge its electoral allies. BNP leaders, however, maintain that the situation will not affect the overall election outcome.

Senior BNP figures such as Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi have acknowledged internal conflicts, with some rebels being expelled and local committees dissolved. Despite repeated warnings from the central leadership, many local activists continue to support the independent contenders, causing divisions within local party units. The rebels include former MPs and long-time local leaders with established voter networks.

The rebellion has also placed BNP’s alliance partners under pressure in several constituencies, including Dhaka-12, Patuakhali-3, and Brahmanbaria-2, where rebel BNP candidates are competing against coalition nominees. This internal rift poses a significant challenge for BNP’s electoral strategy and unity.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya and candidate for both Bogura-2 and Dhaka-18 constituencies, has withdrawn from the Dhaka-18 parliamentary race. He announced his decision on Sunday night through a Facebook post, stating that he is currently in Bogura.

In his post, Manna explained that he had initially decided to contest from both constituencies due to special circumstances. However, he found it financially unfeasible to manage an election campaign in Dhaka-18, which he described as a vast constituency encompassing seven and a half police stations and about 650,000 voters. He said the scale of the area made election management extremely expensive.

Manna expressed regret that his decision might disappoint some supporters and apologized to all concerned. He will continue his campaign in Bogura-2, while stepping back from Dhaka-18 due to practical and financial considerations.

The Election Commission (EC) has issued special vehicle guidelines for candidates and their election agents on the polling day of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. The directive, sent to returning officers on Sunday, aims to maintain an orderly and peaceful environment during voting. Each candidate and their agent will be allowed one small vehicle such as a jeep, car, microbus, or CNG-run autorickshaw, carrying no more than five people including the driver and any assigned gunman.

In remote areas where small vehicles cannot operate, candidates and agents may each use up to two motorcycles, with a maximum of two riders per motorcycle. In river-surrounded areas, one boat per candidate or agent is permitted, carrying up to five people including the driver. All vehicles must display an approved sticker issued by the returning officer, and identity cards must be obtained for all passengers except the candidate, agent, and gunman.

No person other than the candidate or election agent will be allowed to enter polling centers under any circumstances, according to the EC directive.