MINNEAPOLIS, United States, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Marchers braving arctic cold to join thousands of others appalled by the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis lauded how peaceful the protests have remained despite fury over masked federal agents' arrests and killings. There have been daily noisy protests at the Whipple federal building where ICE agents stage ahead of raids. She added that she was "100 percent" sure federal officers were seeking to provoke local people. There were protest actions and marches in cities across the United States including New York, Boston and Los Angeles. Retiree Lisa Schmid told AFP that Minneapolis would become known as "the city that stood up for freedom."

Putin meets Iran's top security official as Trump ratchets up tensionMOSCOW, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin met the head of Iran's top security body in Moscow on Friday, the Kremlin said, as Donald Trump sought to force Tehran to make a deal on its nuclear programme. Earlier on Friday, US President Trump said he believed Iran -- a close ally of Russia -- wanted to make a deal on its nuclear programme to avoid military action. Trump also renewed his threat to launch strikes against Iran, which recently imposed a crackdown on protesters that observers said killed thousands. The visit had not been previously announced, according to the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. While Iran emerged as one of Russia's main allies during the war in Ukraine, Russia gives Tehran crucial international backing.

US approves nearly $4 bn in Apache war helicopter sales to IsraelWASHINGTON, United States, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United States said Friday it had approved a $3.8 billion sale to Israel of 30 Apache attack helicopters and related equipment, as a fragile ceasefire is in place in Gaza. The sale was within a new package of nearly $6.7 billion in weapons to Israel, for which President Donald Trump has vowed strong support. Also in the package was a $1.8 billion sale of joint light tactical vehicles. The United States sends billions of dollars worth of military supplies per year to Israel, largely in aid rather than sales. Israel and Hamas reached a US-backed ceasefire in October that largely paused two years of war.

Senate leaders say the legislation will nonetheless greatly increase the chances that the shutdown ends quickly, potentially within days. Trump publicly endorsed the deal and urged both parties to support it, signaling his desire to avoid a second shutdown of his second term, following a record 43-day stoppage last summer. And a weekend-long stoppage, with a quick resolution in the House on Monday, would have a negligible impact on federal operations. The broader funding fight has left both parties bracing for at least a brief shutdown. The remaining bills fund large swaths of the government, meaning funding for roughly 78 percent of federal operations is set to lapse.

WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump predicted on Friday that Iran would seek to negotiate a deal rather than face American military action, despite Tehran warning that its arsenal of missiles would never be up for discussion. "I can say this, they do want to make a deal," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "We have a large armada, flotilla, call it whatever you want, heading toward Iran right now," Trump said, referring to a US naval carrier group in waters off Iran. One senior Gulf official in touch with the Trump administration said that the United States was closely guarded on what it has planned. - 'Reducing' tensions -Iran has warned that it would respond instantly with missile strikes against US bases, ships and allies, notably Israel.

WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 31, 2026 (AFP) - The United States on Friday approved multibillion-dollar weapons sales to both Israel and Saudi Arabia, at a point of high tensions with Iran. The State Department said it green-lighted a $3.8-billion sale of 30 Apache attack helicopters to Israel, which has agreed to a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. The United States sends billions of dollars worth of military supplies per year to Israel, largely in aid rather than sales. Tensions are high elsewhere in the region as the United States deploys a major military contingent in waters near Iran. The State Department also approved a $9-billion sale to Saudi Arabia for 730 Patriot missiles, which are used to defend against incoming attacks.

"This law will serve to heal the wounds left by political confrontation, fueled by violence and extremism. She also announced plans to close the notorious El Helicoide prison in Caracas, where rights groups say political prisoners were tortured by Maduro's intelligence services. Formerly Maduro's vice president, Rodriguez, 56, has quickly moved in less than four weeks in power to overhaul Venezuelan society in ways sought by the United States, earning high praise from US President Donald Trump. The government also agreed on January 8, five days after Maduro was seized in a deadly US military operation, to free inmates considered political prisoners by rights groups. "We are pleased to confirm the release by the interim authorities of all known US citizens held in Venezuela," the embassy in Caracas posted on social media.

Building a strong economy and state is what will enhance our national dignity," he said. "We, as the NCP, were born out of a people's uprising," Nahid Islam said, recalling the roots of the party in popular resistance. Nahid added, "We named our manifesto 'Youth and Dignity's Manifesto' for two specific reasons. To enhance national security and defense, Nahid Islam proposed creating a reserve force twice the size of the regular armed forces. Nahid Islam also presented the NCP's pledge to introduce a program called 'Accountability,' where the annual income and budget of ministers and MPs will be scrutinized.

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Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, 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Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Ara

Once neglected and marginalized, persons with disabilities and elderly citizens in parts of Khulna region are now playing an active role in social awareness and economic development. Through resilience, skills training, and institutional support, many have transformed their lives from hardship to self-reliance, with some even exporting handicrafts abroad and receiving national recognition. Currently, 1,775 elderly and persons with disabilities across three upazilas in Chuadanga, Jashore, and Bagerhat are actively contributing to their communities. Since 2005, Caritas has been working to improve the socio-economic conditions of elderly and persons with disabilities. Later, recognizing the need for sustainability, Caritas shifted to a rights-based model emphasizing skills training and self-reliance.

CountryUnited States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Ara

Female voters have outnumbered male voters by more than 20,000 in Bogra’s seven parliamentary constituencies, raising the possibility that increased women’s turnout could decisively influence election results in several seats. Bogra-1 (Sariakandi–Sonatala): Total voters: 376,609 Male: 186,889 Female: 189,720 Bogra-2 (Shibganj): Total voters: 342,150 Male: 171,497 Female: 170,653 Bogra-3 (Adamdighi–Dupchanchia): Total voters: 339,170 Male: 169,347 Female: 169,823 Bogra-4 (Kahalu–Nandigram): Total voters: 359,517 Male: 178,987 Female: 180,530 Bogra-5 (Sherpur–Dhunat): Total voters: 572,334 Male: 281,287 Female: 291,047 Bogra-6 (Sadar): Total voters: 454,033 Male: 222,796 Female: 231,237 Bogra-7 (Gabtali–Shajahanpur): Total voters: 538,087 Male: 270,070 Female: 268,017Sultan Mahmud, principal of Nungola Degree College, said that women voters are generally enthusiastic about voting. “If a secure and fair environment is ensured at polling centres, women will come out in large numbers. “With more than 20,000 additional female voters across the seven seats, higher turnout among women could change results in multiple constituencies,” he said. Of the 983 polling centres, 190 have been identified as highly vulnerable, 310 as vulnerable, and the rest as general.

The National Skills Dialogue 2026 was held on Tuesday at Hotel Sheraton, Banani, bringing together leaders from education, training, policy, and workforce development to discuss Bangladesh’s national vision on skills, employment, and workforce readiness. Speakers emphasized that skills must be treated as a national asset and long-term investment rather than a limited sectoral concern. He noted that without a coordinated national mechanism for workforce planning and skills governance, Bangladesh risks continued mismatch between education outcomes and labor market demand. He underscored the importance of aligning higher education with national workforce priorities to ensure graduates are job-ready and globally competitive. Senior leaders of the Trainers’ Association of Bangladesh, including General Secretary Laila Naznin, Vice President Mohammad Morad Hossain, and Director (Innovation) Zia Uddin Mahmud, were also present.

Garment workers to be the decisive factorSavar-Ashulia is a major industrial hub, with garment workers forming a large portion of the population. Aminul Islam, a teacher at a private university in Ashulia, said that the voting preference of garment workers could determine the outcome. Under the banner of Dhaka-19 (Savar-Ashulia) Workers’ Demand Implementation Committee, a coalition of 43 labour organizations placed six key demands at a recent press conference. Eight candidates are in the raceEight candidates are contesting the 13th parliamentary election from Dhaka-19 (Savar-Ashulia) constituency. In the 12th parliamentary election in 2024, Saiful Islam, president of the Awami League’s Ashulia Thana unit, was elected as an independent candidate.