More than 200 people were killed when a coltan mine collapsed in Rubaya, eastern Congo’s North Kivu province. The mine, located about 60 kilometers northwest of the provincial capital Goma, caved in on Wednesday. Reuters reported that the exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed.

Lumumba Kambere Muisa, spokesperson for the M23 rebel-appointed governor of North Kivu, said some people were rescued in time after the collapse, while others were seriously injured. Around 20 injured individuals are receiving treatment at a local health center. Iraston Bahati Musanga, the M23-appointed governor, told AFP on Friday that several bodies had been recovered but did not specify the total number of victims.

A provincial adviser, speaking anonymously to Reuters, estimated the death toll at over 200. Miner Frank Bolingo said many people were still believed to be trapped inside the mine, indicating that rescue operations were continuing.

Selim Mia, a farmer from Taghli village in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj, has achieved notable success cultivating squash, a vegetable popular in Thailand and Vietnam. Guided by local agricultural officers, he experimented with squash on 13 decimals of land during the winter season alongside other vegetables. His total cost was around 8,000 taka, and he expects to earn between 50,000 and 60,000 taka from the harvest. The crop began producing fruit about one and a half months after planting.

Assistant agriculture officer Shamimul Haque Shamim confirmed providing technical support and said Selim’s success has encouraged other farmers to try squash cultivation. Upazila agriculture officer Chinmoy Kar Opu described squash as a foreign vegetable still new to local farmers but noted that those who have tried it have been financially successful. He added that the department is also promoting other foreign vegetables such as broccoli, capsicum, and red cabbage.

According to Opu, squash is nutritionally rich, containing vitamins A, C, E, B6, and minerals like magnesium, potassium, and iron. He said regular consumption can strengthen immunity and help protect against diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart ailments.

Rear Admiral S.M. Moniruzzaman, Chairman of the Chattogram Port Authority, has emphasized the adoption of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Government-to-Government (G2G) concession models to modernize Bangladesh’s port management sustainably. Writing on January 31, 2026, he argued that these models can attract foreign direct investment, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce the government’s debt burden while ensuring long-term financial stability. The approach aligns with the interim government’s economic transformation plan led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, which prioritizes maritime sector development as a foundation for national growth.

According to Moniruzzaman, over 92 percent of Bangladesh’s international trade passes through Chattogram Port, making its expansion and modernization crucial. He contends that PPP and G2G frameworks outperform traditional open tendering by ensuring compliance with international standards, structured risk-sharing, and transparent financial safeguards such as mandatory feasibility studies and net present value thresholds. The model also supports environmental protection, technology transfer, and skilled workforce development.

He concludes that implementing PPP and G2G concessions will strengthen Bangladesh’s global trade position, attract sustainable foreign investment, and transform Chattogram Port into a world-class logistics hub.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained a man named Foysal Hasan, 26, with five gold bars worth Tk 7.75 million at the Maheshpur border in Jhenaidah. The arrest took place on Friday afternoon at Khoshalpur Bazar, where BGB set up a checkpoint based on secret information. The gold was reportedly being smuggled to India.

According to Maheshpur 58 BGB Battalion Assistant Director Munshi Imdadur Rahman, the suspect was searched at the Khoshalpur Bridge checkpoint, where four gold bars and a small gold piece were found tied around his waist. The detainee, along with his mobile phone and bicycle, was handed over to Maheshpur Police Station.

Maheshpur Police Officer-in-Charge Mehedi Hasan stated that the arrested individual would be sent to court, and the seized gold bars have been deposited in the government treasury.

Bangladesh’s diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations with India have reached their lowest point following the 2024 mass uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina and led to her flight to India. The article states that India’s dominance over Bangladesh has weakened, and bilateral ties have deteriorated sharply, with visa processes nearly halted and exports of essential goods facing obstacles. The author claims India has engaged in propaganda and conspiracies against Bangladesh’s interim government, while an attack on Bangladesh’s deputy high commission in Agartala by a Hindu nationalist group violated diplomatic norms.

The analysis argues that India’s growing mistrust with its neighbors stems from security fears, Hindutva politics, and aggressive leadership. It notes that Bangladesh, under Dr. Muhammad Yunus, is pursuing a neutral foreign policy and strengthening defense ties with Turkey, Pakistan, and China. These include potential deals for air defense systems, drones, and fighter jets.

The author recommends reviving SAARC, drafting a national security doctrine, and adopting a balanced foreign policy to restore regional stability and protect Bangladesh’s sovereignty.

A commentary by journalist Elahi Newaz Khan reviews Bangladesh’s long and turbulent electoral history ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12, 2026. The article notes that this election will take place without the participation of the Awami League, which is currently barred from political activity due to crimes against humanity. The author observes that the public is waiting to see how meaningful this election will be in the absence of the country’s dominant political force.

The piece traces key turning points in Bangladesh’s political evolution, from the 1946 provincial election through the 1970 vote that led to independence, and subsequent decades marked by authoritarianism, electoral manipulation, and shifting alliances. It argues that both military and civilian rulers have repeatedly undermined democratic institutions through fraud, repression, and political exclusion.

The author concludes that the current political landscape remains fragile. Rival opposition groups, once united against the Awami League, are now competing among themselves, a division that could weaken their collective strength and potentially allow the Awami League to re-emerge in future politics.

The United Nations has reported that at least 170 civilians were killed in more than 400 airstrikes conducted by Myanmar’s military during a two-month voting period. The information was released from Geneva on Friday, citing data verified by the UN human rights office. According to the report, the attacks occurred between December 2025 and January 2026, coinciding with the country’s election process.

The UN human rights office stated that the figures were based on credible sources and confirmed that approximately 408 airstrikes took place during the election period. The organization also warned that the actual death toll could be higher than the confirmed number of 170.

The report underscores growing international concern over civilian safety in Myanmar amid ongoing military operations during politically sensitive periods.

The United States has approved major arms sales worth several billion dollars to both Israel and Saudi Arabia, citing heightened tensions surrounding Iran in the Middle East. Washington announced the decision on Friday. According to the US State Department, the deal with Israel includes 30 Apache attack helicopters valued at $3.8 billion, along with $1.8 billion in joint light tactical vehicles. The approval came shortly after a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. The State Department reaffirmed that ensuring Israel’s security remains closely tied to US national interests.

In a separate agreement, the US also authorized the sale of about $9 billion in weapons to Saudi Arabia, including 730 Patriot missiles designed to intercept aerial attacks. The move follows last year’s Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites and widespread protests in Iran that led to heavy casualties. While Saudi Arabia is not a close ally of Iran, it has maintained a cautious stance to avoid direct conflict. Gulf nations fear that escalating instability could harm their business-friendly image.

Efforts by Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel have stalled amid Israel’s ongoing military operations in Palestinian territories.

Russia, facing a shortage of workers across agriculture, industry, infrastructure, and shipbuilding, has turned to foreign labor to fill the gap. In December, a labor export agreement was signed between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under which 70,000 Indian workers are expected to go to Russia in 2026. Reports indicate that Indian workers will earn between 555 and 1,111 US dollars per month. Meanwhile, Bangladesh remains far behind, with only 6,266 workers currently in Russia and just 325 sent officially through government channels.

Migration experts attribute Bangladesh’s weak position to a lack of long-term planning and poor coordination between the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They argue that Bangladesh needs a permanent labor market research center and better collaboration with private sector experts to identify opportunities. Officials from the expatriates’ welfare ministry say a draft memorandum of understanding has been sent to Russia’s foreign ministry, though issues remain over repatriation agreements.

Experts warn that without strategic reforms and institutional coordination, Bangladesh risks missing out on emerging labor markets like Russia’s.

The United States announced sanctions on Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and several senior Iranian officials, citing their alleged involvement in deadly crackdowns on anti-government protests in recent weeks. The decision was made public on Friday, according to a statement from the U.S. Treasury Department.

The Treasury said Momeni oversees Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF), which Washington identified as a key agency responsible for the deaths of thousands of peaceful demonstrators. U.S. officials accused Iranian security forces of using widespread violence and repressive tactics during the protests, resulting in a large number of civilian casualties.

According to the U.S. government, the sanctions aim to hold those responsible for human rights abuses accountable and to send a message against the suppression of peaceful dissent in Iran.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) announced a 36-point election manifesto titled “Manifesto of Youth and Dignity” at a hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Friday. The declaration, made in remembrance of the July Revolution, was presented by party convener Nahid Islam. The manifesto outlines commitments to democracy, human rights, economic reform, and state restructuring. It includes pledges to prosecute crimes against humanity, form independent and truth commissions, eliminate extortion, ensure transparency of officials’ assets, raise the minimum wage to Tk 100 per hour, and lower the voting age to 16. It also promises reforms in education and healthcare, creation of one crore jobs, empowerment of women and minorities, environmental protection, and strengthening of defense and renewable energy.

Nahid Islam said the manifesto reflects the party’s long-term struggle for constitutional and structural reform and will be aligned with the 11-party electoral alliance. NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud stated that the manifesto was developed through public consultation and aims to establish an accountable and inclusive state. The event was attended by political leaders, diplomats, and civil society representatives.

If implemented, the manifesto’s commitments could reshape governance, economic policy, and social inclusion in Bangladesh, according to the party’s stated goals.

Car imports through Chattogram Port have sharply increased ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming national election. Over the past six months, more than 7,000 vehicles arrived at the port, with 6,651 cleared by importers. The customs authority collected around Tk 1,153 crore in revenue during this period, marking a significant rise compared to the previous fiscal year. The port handled 841 brand-new and 6,225 reconditioned cars via 16 specialized Ro-Ro vessels, setting a new record for vehicle imports within such a short time.

Importers and showroom managers attributed the surge to election-related demand, particularly for microbuses and vans used in campaigns, as well as expectations of post-election stability. After years of sluggish sales due to dollar shortages and higher import taxes, the market is showing signs of recovery. Daily vehicle deliveries from the port have risen from about 10 to 40–50 units.

Officials noted that timely vehicle clearance has improved, with only 103 cars delayed beyond the 30-day limit. However, some traders suggested that the increase in imports may reflect logistical shifts from Mongla Port rather than a broad rise in consumer demand.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Barishal on February 4 after nearly two decades. He will attend an election rally as the chief guest at the historic Bell’s Park field in the city. The visit was confirmed by Bilkis Akter Jahan, the party’s divisional organizing secretary for Barishal, who said Rahman will arrive from Jashore by air and later travel to Dhaka by road. Party sources said preparations for the rally are nearly complete, and enthusiasm among local BNP leaders and activists is high.

Rahman’s visit had previously been planned for January 26 and later rescheduled to January 27 before being postponed again. The new date of February 4 has now been finalized. His last visit to Barishal was in 2006, when he served as the party’s senior joint secretary general. Local BNP leaders and political observers view this visit as significant, especially as it comes at the final stage of the election campaign.

The event is expected to energize BNP supporters in the region and mark a symbolic return of the party’s top leadership to Barishal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a new military strategy aimed at inflicting heavier losses on Russian forces as the war enters its fourth year. In a January 26 address to military personnel, he said Ukrainian units must ensure that Russian casualties each month exceed the number of reinforcements Moscow can deploy. Zelensky mentioned a target of around 50,000 Russian losses per month, calling it the optimal level to weaken the invading forces.

Citing video analyses, Zelensky claimed that 35,000 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in December 2025, up from 30,000 in November and 26,000 in October. Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, separately stated that more than 33,000 Russian troops were confirmed killed in December. Ukraine estimates that since the war began, 1.2 million Russian soldiers have been killed or disabled, while the Center for Strategic and International Studies reported similar figures. Al Jazeera noted that none of these casualty numbers could be independently verified.

The conflict remains at a stalemate, with Russia continuing efforts to seize additional territory despite heavy losses.

Former England cricketer and analyst Mark Butcher has described the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to exclude Bangladesh from the upcoming T20 World Cup as “unprecedented” and “utter chaos.” According to the report, Bangladesh had requested to play its World Cup matches in Sri Lanka due to security concerns in India. The ICC, however, rejected the request and, under pressure from India, removed Bangladesh from the global tournament.

Speaking on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast, Butcher criticized the ICC for allegedly changing its rules to favor India, citing the example of India’s Champions Trophy matches being relocated to Dubai instead of Pakistan. He argued that such flexibility for one team undermines fairness in world cricket.

Butcher further urged that similar standards should apply to all teams in the future. He suggested that if a team refuses to play in a country citing security reasons, it should either ensure safety and participate or withdraw, allowing another team to take its place.