Pakistan combing for perpetrators after deadly separatist attacks
The Pakistan military said it was conducting "sanitisation operations" in the areas that had been targeted in Saturday's attacks. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the province's most active militant separatist group, claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement sent to AFP. The group said it had targeted military installations as well as police and civil administration officials in gun attacks and suicide bombings. Saturday's attacks came a day after the military said it killed 41 insurgents in two separate operations in the province. Pakistan has been battling a Baloch separatist insurgency for decades, with frequent armed attacks on security forces, foreign nationals and non-local Pakistanis in the mineral-rich province bordering Afghanistan and Iran.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 09:26 UTC
Exploration activities begin in Rangpur iron mine after six decades
RANGPUR, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - After six decades, exploration activities began again in the country's first ever known iron mine at Bhelamari field in Chhoto Paharpur village of Shanerhat union under Pirganj upazila of Rangpur on Saturday. Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Mohammad Saiful Islam inaugurated the “Geological Well Drilling (GDH-79/2025)” exploration activities in a function held there as the chief guest. The Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) under the Energy and Mineral Resources Division organized the programme. Finally, after a long 60 years, the exploration activities were officially inaugurated on Saturday in that mine (Geological Well Drilling (GDH-79/2025). “The government will help in extracting the mineral resources that will be found here.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 09:16 UTC
Iran's Khamenei warns of 'regional war' if US attacks
TEHRAN, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Sunday of a "regional war" if the United States attacked following heavy military deployments by Washington in the Gulf. "The Americans should know that if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war," Khamenei was quoted as saying by the Tasnim news agency.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 09:08 UTC
Snowstorm disrupts travel in southern US as blast of icy weather widens
Snowstorm disrupts travel in southern US as blast of icy weather widensWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Travel misery was set to continue Sunday as a powerful snowstorm blasted southern US states, bringing subzero temperatures to regions not accustomed to the deadly winter conditions. All of North and South Carolina, and portions of Georgia, eastern Tennessee and Kentucky, as well as southern Virginia were under a winter storm warning. North Carolina saw 750 car crashes on Saturday, the highway patrol said. Faust, North Carolina recorded 14.5 inches (37 cm) of snow, while West Critz, Virginia got 12.5 inches. In dramatic footage released by police in Gastonia, North Carolina, a train plowed at high speed into a semi-truck that had gotten stuck on the tracks, crushing the vehicle.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 07:53 UTC
Hackers took control of Ameer's X account, posted misleading statement: Jamaat
DHAKA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami said hackers recently gained unauthorized access to the official X (formerly Twitter) account of its Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, as well as the accounts of several senior party leaders, and posted a misleading statement falsely attributed to the Ameer. The cyberattack was highly coordinated and sophisticated, allowing the attackers to temporarily control Dr. Rahman's account, said a statement issued today by Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair. Jamaat said its cyber team acted quickly, using established security protocols to restore access to the account immediately. The party emphasized that spreading disinformation, impersonating identities, or creating misleading content is legally punishable and detrimental to a democratic society. The statement advised people to verify information from official sources, avoid sharing unverified content, and report suspicious digital materials.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 06:21 UTC
Posters banned in electioneering, EC tightens rules on banner use
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 06:17 UTC
Sea of colour as Malaysia's Hindus mark Thaipusam with piercings and prayer
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 05:54 UTC
Challenges for millions pushed back to Afghanistan
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 05:34 UTC
Chinese cash in jewellery at automated gold recyclers as prices soar
"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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 05:24 UTC
Qatar says it’s FM in Iran to 'reduce tensions' in region
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 05:14 UTC
'Quiet assassin' Rybakina targets world number one after Melbourne win
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 04:50 UTC
Barca triumph at Elche to extend Liga lead
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 04:12 UTC
Trump says Iran is 'talking to us,' 'we'll see if we can do something'
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 03:35 UTC
Kyiv ready for talks 'next week' with US over Russia proposals: Zelensky
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 03:35 UTC
Israel to partially reopen Gaza's Rafah crossing
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.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
February 01, 2026 03:29 UTC