India has conferred its 2026 Padma Awards on 133 distinguished individuals in the fields of art, literature, and social service. Among them, only five recipients are from the Muslim community, whose contributions have been described as remarkable yet numerically limited. The list includes South Indian film icon Mammootty, who received the Padma Bhushan, and artists such as Rajasthan’s Gaffaruddin Mewati Yogi and Gujarat’s Haji Bhai Kasam Bhai, who were honored with the Padma Shri for preserving regional art and culture.

The report highlights that despite Muslims comprising around 15 percent of India’s population, their representation among awardees remains minimal. This imbalance raises questions about inclusivity in national recognition, especially amid broader social tensions and reports of violence against minorities. The article argues that national honors should reflect the country’s diversity and inclusive spirit.

It further suggests that the limited Muslim representation may indicate institutional indifference and calls for a more equitable approach to recognizing talent across communities to strengthen social cohesion and public trust in state institutions.

At an election rally of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held on January 30 at Comilla Town Hall, Hasanath Abdullah, the chief coordinator of the NCP’s southern region and candidate for Comilla-4, accused several television channels of political bias. Speaking as a special guest, he alleged that certain media outlets had previously supported the Awami League and were now aligned with the BNP. He specifically named Somoy TV, Ekattor TV, and DBC, claiming they had long portrayed Tarique Rahman negatively and were now acting as his allies. Abdullah declared that his party would wage a renewed battle against what he called “brokered media.”

He also criticized a political party for promising support to women while its activists allegedly threatened them and forced the removal of hijabs. Addressing government officials, Abdullah urged them to restore public trust through a fair election, emphasizing that they should act as servants of the people rather than any political party.

The rally was attended by Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and other senior leaders from Jamaat and allied parties, including JAGPA and NCP.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his country is ready for 'fair and balanced' talks with the United States amid escalating tensions. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Turkey on Friday, Araghchi emphasized that Iran has no problem with dialogue but will not negotiate under threats. He made the remarks at a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara.

Araghchi firmly stated that Iran’s missile and defense capabilities will never be part of any negotiation. He added that the security of the Iranian people is not a matter for others and that Iran will continue to preserve and expand its defense capacity as needed. He stressed that no country compromises on its security, saying Iran is prepared both for dialogue and for war.

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have intensified in recent weeks following U.S. threats over Iran’s nuclear program and its crackdown on anti-government protests. U.S. President Donald Trump warned that a powerful naval fleet is heading toward Iran and cautioned Tehran to return to nuclear talks or face severe measures.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed a strong interest in strengthening relations with China, disregarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that such engagement could be “very dangerous” for Britain. During his visit to China, the first by a British leader in eight years, Starmer met President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, emphasizing mutual cooperation and progress. The two countries signed several agreements, including visa-free travel for short-term British visitors, trade expansion, and collaboration against human trafficking.

The visit comes amid growing uncertainty over U.S. policies, prompting several Western leaders, including those from France, Canada, and Finland, to engage with Beijing. China’s foreign ministry reiterated its commitment to “win-win cooperation” with all nations. Starmer noted that sanctions imposed on British lawmakers in 2021 had been lifted, signaling a reset in bilateral relations.

According to Downing Street, British companies secured export deals worth £2.2 billion, with an additional £2.3 billion in market opportunities expected over the next five years, alongside significant new investments.

A report from Bangladesh highlights growing concerns over violence surrounding the upcoming parliamentary election. Since the start of campaign activities, incidents of clashes, attacks on candidates, and social media provocation have been reported in at least ten districts, including a fatal confrontation in Sherpur’s Jhenaigati area. The unrest has raised public anxiety and cast doubt on the credibility of the electoral process.

Authorities initially observed a calm environment after law enforcement met with candidates to emphasize adherence to the electoral code of conduct. However, tensions have since escalated, with reports of obstruction in campaigns, mutual accusations, and violent outbreaks linked to online agitation. The situation is described as particularly alarming given the election’s significance following a long struggle to restore democratic governance.

The report calls for all pro-Bangladesh political forces to act responsibly, urging party leaders to take firm stances against violence regardless of affiliation. It also stresses the need for a more visible and effective Election Commission, impartial law enforcement, and strict monitoring of social media to curb misinformation and incitement.

South Africa has expelled Israeli diplomat Ariel Sidman, declaring him persona non grata for alleged violations of diplomatic norms. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation announced on Friday that Sidman, the chargé d’affaires at the Israeli embassy, was given 72 hours to leave the country. Authorities accused him of actions that challenged South Africa’s sovereignty and breached acceptable diplomatic conduct.

According to the department’s statement, Sidman allegedly launched insulting attacks on President Cyril Ramaphosa through social media and deliberately failed to inform the ministry about a purported visit by senior Israeli officials. The statement described his behavior as a severe abuse of diplomatic privileges and a fundamental violation of the Vienna Convention, undermining trust and protocol essential to bilateral relations.

The department urged the Israeli government to ensure that its future diplomatic activities respect the principles of the Republic of South Africa and established norms of international engagement.

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.