As the election date nears, campaigning in Barishal-2 constituency has become increasingly competitive, with candidates and supporters canvassing from morning to night. Voters say they prefer honest and capable candidates. Although eight contenders are running, the main contest appears to be between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami nominees, both striving to attract Awami League voters, whose support could determine the outcome.

BNP has nominated industrialist and education enthusiast S. Sarfuddin Ahmed Santu, but internal divisions have weakened his campaign. Several BNP leaders who were denied nomination have refrained from joining his campaign, and some have defected to Jamaat. This has created mixed reactions locally. Jamaat’s candidate, Master Abdul Mannan, is seen as honest though less popular, while BNP’s Santu remains widely known. Other strong candidates include JASAD’s Abul Kalam Azad Badol, a former local chairman.

Election officials report that law and order in Barishal-2 remains under control, with no incidents of political violence so far. The constituency, comprising Uzirpur and Banaripara upazilas, has 385,807 voters and 140 polling centers. Observers note that Awami League supporters’ voting direction could decide the final result.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has indicated that Turkey and Saudi Arabia may jointly invest in the Turkish-made stealth fighter jet known as 'Kaan'. Speaking to reporters on his return from Cairo on Wednesday, Erdogan said the aircraft has received strong international praise and that both nations could implement the partnership at any time. He confirmed that a major defense industry cooperation agreement has already been signed between Ankara and Riyadh and emphasized Turkey’s determination to expand this collaboration.

Erdogan also addressed broader regional and international issues, expressing optimism about easing tensions between Iran and the United States. He stated that dialogue is the only sustainable path to resolving their disputes. On the Gaza situation, Erdogan said Turkey would play an active role in ensuring the proper implementation of the Gaza peace plan and in restoring peace and stability there.

The United States and Iran are set to begin high-level talks in Muscat, Oman, amid fears of military confrontation. The discussions, expected to start on Friday, follow Washington’s strong reaction to Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests last month. Human rights groups report thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests. The talks will be led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

The US has demanded Iran suspend its nuclear program, reduce enriched uranium stockpiles, and address issues including ballistic missiles, regional militias, and human rights. Iran insists the talks should focus solely on its nuclear activities. President Donald Trump has warned of possible airstrikes if no agreement is reached, while Iran has threatened retaliation against US assets in the Middle East and Israel. Regional mediators view the dialogue as a last chance to prevent open conflict.

Analysts describe Iran’s government as being at its weakest since the 1979 revolution, facing economic crisis and internal dissent. The outcome of these talks could determine whether tensions ease or escalate further in the region.

Two days before Japan’s snap election, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly declared his full support for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi through a message on Truth Social. Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, took office in October and is hoping for a major victory in Sunday’s vote. Polls suggest her ruling coalition could secure a supermajority in parliament. Trump praised Takaichi as a strong and wise leader who loves her country and confirmed she will visit the United States on March 19.

Trump said the U.S. and Japan are moving toward an important trade agreement and cooperating closely on national security. His endorsement breaks with the usual U.S. presidential practice of avoiding involvement in foreign elections, though Trump has previously supported leaders such as Argentina’s Javier Milei and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán. Takaichi earlier welcomed Trump warmly in Japan and supported his Nobel Peace Prize nomination.

Polls indicate Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party has regained strength after past scandals and inflation challenges. Analysts suggest a strong mandate could allow her to advance economic and security reforms if her coalition achieves a two-thirds majority.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned that his country will deliver a firm and equal response to any provocation from India. He issued the warning on Thursday during a special address in Azad Kashmir marking Kashmir Solidarity Day, according to The News. Sharif stated that Pakistan would respond directly from the front where any provocation originates.

In his speech, Sharif accused India of conducting terrorism in Pakistan through proxies following its defeat in the war last May. He said regional peace would remain impossible until India abandons what he described as its aggressive, expansionist, and hegemonic ambitions. The prime minister emphasized that Pakistan’s armed forces and security agencies would counter any India-backed terrorist activity with the same determination and skill shown in confronting enemy warplanes.

Sharif reiterated that Pakistan seeks peace based on equality and justice, describing the recent military success as both a demonstration of professional strength and a tribute to the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people.

International activists have announced a new and larger maritime mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The initiative, called the 'Global Sumud Flotilla', is scheduled for March and will include around 100 vessels and about 1,000 participants. The plan was unveiled at a meeting held at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa. Organizers described it as the largest civilian humanitarian intervention yet against Israel’s policies concerning Gaza.

Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela and a participant in a similar mission last year, said the upcoming flotilla will include doctors, human rights activists, and war crimes investigators. Alongside the sea convoy, a land convoy through neighboring Arab countries is also being planned, expected to attract thousands of supporters. In October, Israeli forces seized about 40 vessels from a previous Global Sumud Flotilla and detained around 450 activists, including Mandela and climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Although a ceasefire is currently in place in Gaza, the UN reports that humanitarian aid remains far below the required level. Activists said they will continue efforts to highlight the humanitarian crisis and challenge the blockade despite possible obstacles.

Nasir Uddin Nasir, the central general secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, has called on voters in the Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency to elect Jasim Uddin, the Gano Adhikar Parishad candidate, who is contesting under the truck symbol. His appeal was made through a Facebook post on Thursday night, where he urged supporters of BNP, Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Krishak Dal, and Sramik Dal, as well as the general public, to create a mass wave in favor of the truck symbol.

In his post, Nasir mentioned that Hasnat Abdullah, the Jamaat-led alliance candidate, is also contesting in the same constituency and described him as a young leader who emerged from the July mass uprising. He emphasized that true leadership is proven through competitive elections rather than uncontested victories and expressed hope for a strong contest between Hasnat Abdullah and Jasim Uddin.

Nasir further described Jasim Uddin as an important participant in the anti-fascist joint movement and reiterated his call to voters to support him in the upcoming election.

Two people were killed in a United States strike on a ship in the eastern Pacific Ocean, according to the US Southern Command (Southcom), which oversees American military operations in Latin America. Southcom claimed the deceased were drug traffickers, though it provided no evidence to support that assertion. The report was carried by Al Jazeera.

Since September 2025, the United States has conducted 34 strikes across the Pacific and Caribbean regions, resulting in at least 126 deaths. These operations have been described as violations of international law. The watchdog group Airwars recorded that this latest attack marks the first strike carried out under the Trump administration in 2026.

The incident adds to a pattern of US military actions in the region that have drawn scrutiny over legality and transparency, as questions remain about the justification for targeting and the identities of those killed.

Ahead of Ramadan, edible oil prices have unexpectedly increased in Bangladesh despite adequate imports. Retailers report that companies have reduced commissions, indirectly raising prices. Unscrupulous traders are accused of artificially inflating soybean and palm oil prices. In contrast, vegetable prices have declined due to increased supply, while chicken prices rose by Tk 10 per kilogram and egg prices fell by Tk 5 per dozen.

Industry sources indicate that Bangladesh’s annual edible oil demand is about 2.5 million tons, with imports exceeding seasonal needs. By December, over 2.4 million tons of palm oil had been imported, and additional shipments are awaiting unloading at Chattogram port. Refinery owners claim that global price hikes have not yet affected the domestic market, suggesting that local manipulation and weak monitoring may be driving the rise.

Despite the oil price surge, traders say the supply of essential goods such as lentils and sugar remains stable, and they expect no major price hikes during Ramadan if monitoring improves.

Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange following two days of peace talks in Abu Dhabi mediated by the United States. It marked the first such exchange in four months, with each side releasing 157 detainees. The discussions in the United Arab Emirates capital involved delegations from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, focusing on territorial concessions and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, no progress was reported from the talks.

Amid the negotiations, Russia intensified attacks on Ukraine’s power infrastructure, and the prolonged war continued to cause heavy losses. Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated that Starlink terminals used by Russia for drone strikes inside Ukraine had been disabled. On the same day, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that more than 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the war, with many others officially listed as missing.

The exchange and talks highlight ongoing international efforts to ease tensions, though the lack of progress suggests that a lasting resolution remains distant.

Multiple earthquakes struck India’s Himalayan state of Sikkim late Wednesday night, with tremors also felt across northern Bangladesh. According to India’s National Center for Seismology (NCS) and the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenters were located in Sikkim’s Namchi and Mangan areas. The first major quake, measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale, occurred at 1:39 a.m. Bangladesh time, followed by two more of magnitudes 4.4 and 4.0 at 2:50 a.m. and 3:31 a.m. respectively. Several smaller aftershocks were recorded until around 6 a.m., totaling eight to ten tremors overall.

The quakes were shallow, with depths between 5 and 10 kilometers, which made the shaking more intense. Residents in Bangladesh’s Rangpur division reported strong vibrations and fear during the night. A resident of Nilphamari described the experience as terrifying, saying it felt as though the room might collapse.

Geological experts noted that Sikkim and the adjoining Himalayan region lie on an active fault line, making aftershocks common following a major tremor. Earlier in the week, a 5.9-magnitude quake in Myanmar and another in Satkhira’s Kalaroa area had also been felt across Bangladesh.

Israel carried out multiple airstrikes on Thursday in southern and eastern Lebanon, violating the ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since November 2024. According to Lebanon’s state news agency NNA, one of the attacks targeted the Al-Wazaniyah area near Khallat Khazem in Jabal al-Reihan, while another strike hit mountainous areas near the city of Hermel in the Bekaa Valley. Video footage from local media showed smoke rising from the targeted zones, and Israeli warplanes were reportedly seen flying at low altitude over several Lebanese regions after the strikes.

The Israeli military stated that the operations targeted Hezbollah positions across Lebanon. However, no immediate information was available regarding casualties or damage. The report cited Anadolu Agency, which sourced its information from Lebanese media outlets.

The background of the conflict traces back to October 2023, when Israel launched a military campaign against Lebanon that escalated into a full-scale conflict by September 2024. Various sources have reported that more than 4,000 people have been killed and around 17,000 injured since the fighting began.

The interim government has asked the Election Commission (EC) for clarification on three specific legal and regulatory issues related to campaigning in favor of the ‘yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum linked to the July Charter. According to official sources, the move aims to prevent confusion or crisis among political parties, voters, and the EC ahead of the vote. The government’s questions concern the permissible duration of campaigning, the possibility of setting up separate campaign booths on polling day, and whether separate polling agents can be appointed for the referendum.

In response, EC officials said they have provided explanations based on the Referendum Ordinance 2025 and relevant election regulations. The EC confirmed that both the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum will be held on February 12, with all campaigning to stop 48 hours before polling begins, meaning after 7:30 a.m. on February 10. The EC also clarified that no separate booths will be set up by the commission, though the government may establish its own campaign booths without official assistance, and no separate polling agents may be appointed for the referendum.

Under the Referendum Ordinance 2025 and the Representation of the People Order 1972, public officials may raise awareness about the referendum but cannot campaign for or against any side, as such actions are legally punishable.

At least 22 people, including four medical workers, were killed and eight others injured in a bombing by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) at Al-Kuweik Military Hospital in Sudan’s South Kordofan state, according to Anadolu Agency. The Sudan Doctors Network confirmed that the hospital’s medical director was among the dead.

In a statement, the Sudan Doctors Network condemned the attack, calling the targeting of healthcare facilities and workers a war crime and a clear violation of international humanitarian law. The group said the incident was not isolated but part of a series of assaults across South Kordofan that have rendered multiple hospitals inoperative, worsening the humanitarian crisis and threatening the remaining health services for civilians.

The network held the RSF fully responsible and urged the international community, UN agencies, and human rights organizations to take swift and effective action to stop repeated attacks on medical facilities. The RSF has not yet commented on the allegations.

Japan is preparing to restart the world’s largest nuclear power plant after a long hiatus. Authorities announced that one reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant will be reactivated next week. At a press conference on Friday, Take-yuki Inagaki, head of the plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), said the reactor is scheduled to start on February 9.

The restart process had been temporarily halted earlier due to an alarm-related fault. Inagaki explained that the issue was linked to alarm settings and did not affect the plant’s operational safety. Last month, an attempt to restart a reactor at the Niigata Prefecture facility was also stopped within hours of initiation.

The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant has remained closed since Japan suspended nuclear power generation nationwide following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which caused reactor meltdowns at the Fukushima nuclear plant.