DHAKA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has banned posters in electioneering and also imposed stricter controls on banners as part of its Code of Conduct for the 13th National Parliament Election and the Referendum scheduled for February 12. The campaign period, which began on January 22, will end at midnight on February 10, 48 hours before voting starts. Under the "Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates, 2025," the use of posters in electioneering has been completely banned. The EC has also issued a clarification on banner use, communicated to returning officers through a letter signed by EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. The notification highlighted that registered political parties, nominated candidates, independent candidates and their campaigners must strictly follow the Code of Conduct.

Sea of colour as Malaysia's Hindus mark Thaipusam with piercings and prayerBATU CAVES, Malaysia, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A sea of colour lit up Malaysia's landmark Batu Caves outside the capital Sunday, as hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees gathered to celebrate Thaipusam, one of the religion's most revered festivals. Thaipusam is marked with particular zest in multicultural Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation where ethnic Indians make up about seven percent of the 34 million population. I have been coming for Thaipusam for the past 30 years," S. Jeyasangar, 39, from Klang, Selangor, told AFP. "Thaipusam is important to me because I have gone through so much, and I'm successful today because of Lord Muruga," she told AFP. "Every day I pray for a better future, so today I came to thank Lord Muruga," Shema said.

AFP takes a look at the people arriving in Afghanistan and the challenges they face. The figure equates to 10 percent of the country's population, according to the agency's deputy head in Afghanistan, Mutya Izora Maskun. Three million returnees crossed the borders just last year, some of whom have spent decades living abroad. - Desperate search for work -Just 11 percent of adults pushed back from Pakistan and Iran were fully employed, the IOM survey found. On their arrival in Afghanistan, returnees usually receive help with transport, a SIM card and a small amount of money.

"Gold prices hold steady at a historic high, it's the right time to sell gold," an ad on the machine advised customers. Some people told AFP they had waited over an hour for their turn. Wu said her elderly mother was especially excited about soaring gold prices, and saw the recycling machine as a chance to supplement her modest pension. "Everyone is suddenly talking about (gold), and it has sparked this emotion in her," Wu told AFP. "If the price is good, I will sell it," she told AFP as she waited for her turn.

Qatar says it’s FM in Iran to 'reduce tensions' in regionDOHA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Qatari premier Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al, who also serves as foreign minister, held talks in Iran Saturday to try to "de-escalate tensions in the region" the kingdom's foreign ministry said Saturday. At a meeting with Ali Larijani, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, he reiterated Qatar's support for "all efforts aimed at reducing tensions... in the region," said the statement. The announcement came with Washington's naval battle group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier off Iran's shores, after Trump threatened to intervene in the wake of a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests.

MELBOURNE, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Elena Rybakina beat the two top-ranked players in the world to win the Australian Open and show that her quiet ruthlessness can propel her to number one and more Grand Slam glory. Proving it was no fluke, it was the second time in three months that big-serving Rybakina has beaten the world number one. "Last year I didn't start that well," said Rybakina, as she eyes a second Wimbledon title in June-July. Rybakina's tense victory over Sabalenka, having beaten Poland's second seed Swiatek in straight sets in the quarter-finals, was her 20th win in her last 21 matches. Rybakina won the first set but the powerful Belarusian struck back to win her first major title in three sets.

ELCHE, Spain, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Barcelona eased to a 3-1 win at Elche to move four points clear at the top of La Liga on Saturday, with goals from Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford. Elche, 12th, have impressed this season and created good chances of their own at the Martinez Valero stadium, but Barca were too strong for them. Olmo came close to doubling Barca's lead but clipped the top of the crossbar with a shot from the edge of the box. Elche equalised with a well-worked move to get Alvaro Rodriguez in behind Barca's high line and he fired past Joan Garcia. Fermin Lopez, Raphinha and Torres all spurned good chances for more goals as Barca created danger at will, with Elche coach Eder Sarabia, a former Barca assistant under Quique Setien, sticking with his open style.

Trump says Iran is 'talking to us,' 'we'll see if we can do something'WASHINGTON, United States, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump on Saturday said Iran was negotiating with the United States, even as the Islamic republic's army chief warned Washington against launching military strikes. "(Iran is) talking to us, and we'll see if we can do something, otherwise we'll see what happens...We have a big fleet heading out there," he told Fox News. "They are negotiating," Trump said. Trump added that US allies in region were not being told of plans for possible strikes due to security reasons. He has threatened to intervene in Iran in the wake of a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests.

Kyiv ready for talks 'next week' with US over Russia proposals: ZelenskyKYIV, Ukraine, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday his negotiators were waiting to hear from the United States on further meetings about ending the war with Russia. "Ukraine is ready to work in all working formats," said Zelensky. We are counting on meetings next week and are preparing for them." Zelensky was speaking as US envoy Steve Witkoff said he had had "productive and constructive" talks with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Florida on Saturday. On Thursday however, Zelensky suggested that the date and venue could change given the current tensions between Washington and Tehran.

RAFAH, Palestinian Territories, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Israel is set to partially reopen the Rafah crossing between the war-devastated Gaza Strip and Egypt on Sunday, following months of urging from humanitarian organisations, though access will be limited to the movement of people. Israel had previously said it would not reopen the crossing until the remains of Ran Gvili -- the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza -- were returned. Entry and exit "will be permitted in coordination with Egypt, following prior security clearance of individuals by Israel, and under the supervision of the European Union mission", it added. Located on Gaza's southern border with Egypt, Rafah is the only crossing into and out of the territory that does not pass through Israel. The NCAG, headed by former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Shaath, is expected to enter the Gaza Strip once the Rafah crossing reopens.

MINNEAPOLIS, United States, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - For the two months that federal agents have been conducting immigration raids in Minneapolis, Ana, Carlos and their son Luis have locked themselves in at home, feeling trapped behind their own deadbolt. But the armed, masked agents the Trump administration has deployed into this city don't care about that document, which no longer protects against arrest or deportation. As "Operation Metro Surge" continues in Minneapolis, questions swirl around how many innocent people are swept up in raids. They don't know how they'll manage next month, but they're praying that the federal agents hunting immigrants in Minnesota get sent elsewhere in the country. Ana admitted she sometimes imagines herself back in Mexico, but "the only thing keeping me here are my children's dreams."

SYDNEY, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Hundreds of swimmers and surfers paddled their boards into the waves off Australia's Bondi Beach on Sunday in memory of a 12-year-old boy who died after being attacked by a shark in Sydney Harbour. We're going to miss him, miss him forever," the boy's father told people gathered on the Sydney beach, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald. A suspected bull shark bit him on January 18 as he played with friends on a Sydney Harbour beach, jumping off a rock into the water. "A beautiful tribute for Nico," his Sydney school posted in a message on social media with a photo of the Bondi Beach paddle-out. Officials said heavy rain draining into the harbour and ocean beaches had turned the water brackish, raising the risk of shark attacks.

Pakistan has been battling a separatist insurgency in Balochistan for decades, with frequent attacks on security forces, foreign nationals and non-locals in the mineral-rich province bordering Afghanistan and Iran. The military's media wing said in a statement that attacks had taken place in multiple locations including the provincial capital Quetta and Gwadar. A senior official in Quetta told AFP that militants had abducted a deputy district commissioner. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the most active militant separatist group in the province, claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement sent to AFP. In August 2024, militants blew up bridges, stormed hotels and targeted security installations in assaults across the province that killed dozens.

BAGHDAD, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iraq's main Shiite alliance, which holds a parliamentary majority, said it will back Nouri al-Maliki to become the next prime minister, despite US threats to end all support to the country. Maliki, a powerbroker and shrewd politician, is Iraq's only two-term prime minister, having led the government between 2006 and 2014. "Choosing the prime minister is an exclusively Iraqi constitutional matter ... free from foreign interference," it said. Once elected, the president will have 15 days to appoint a prime minister, typically nominated by the largest Shiite bloc. One source said that Shiite leaders are divided: some wanted Maliki to retreat fearing US sanctions if he returns to office.

ROME, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Champions Napoli edged lowly Fiorentina 2-1 in Serie A on Saturday to keep pace in the title race, three days after being dumped out of the Champions League. Staggering under the weight of an injury crisis that includes star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and striker Romelu Lukaku, Napoli lost captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo to a twisted knee in the first half. Inter Milan travel to Cremonese on Sunday and lead the title charge on 52 points, with AC Milan second on 47 ahead of Tuesday's game at Bologna. Napoli went into Saturday's game with just one win from their last seven matches in all competitions. Earlier on Saturday Pisa lost 3-1 at home to Sassuolo to remain rock-bottom having won just one match from 23.