Protests were held in the UK and parts of Europe against Pakistan’s Kashmir Solidarity Day events, with demonstrators calling them a propaganda exercise. Rallies took place outside the Pakistan consulate in Bradford and in London and Brussels. Groups linked to the United Kashmir People’s National Party said the day was “fraudulent solidarity” and a “Day of Betrayal.” Protesters raised slogans against land grabbing and state repression. Leaders accused Pakistani authorities of denying rights in Pakistan-administered regions. One statement said, “True solidarity is measured by actions, not slogans.” Speakers also alleged demographic changes and disinformation campaigns linked to the observance. (PC: NDTV)

Bangladesh is set to sign a trade pact with the United States on February 9, just days before national elections on February 12, according to official statements and local reports. Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman confirmed the signing date. Local media said both sides signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement, keeping terms of the deal confidential. The agreement is being finalised under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, whose term ends after the vote. Bangladesh currently faces 20% US tariffs and is seeking a cut to 15%. A garment industry leader said, “This should have been done after the election, because it carries major implications.” (PC: HT)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued an apology for believing Peter Mandelson's lies and appointing him as US ambassador, addressing the scandal during a speech in East Sussex. Starmer stated that when Mandelson was questioned about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, his answers were "intentionally intended to create the impression" that he "barely knew" him. When asked if he would resist party efforts to remove him as leader, Starmer said he remains focused on changing the country for the better. The PM expressed his intention to release the Mandelson files "as quickly as possible." Political editor Chris Mason described the moment as a prime minister "scrapping for his future with his back against the wall."

Mass layoffs at The Washington Post cut about 30% of its workforce and removed more than 300 journalists and staff across divisions. Reports say entire desks were shut, including sports and books coverage. All Middle East correspondent and editor roles were cut. Several reporting and editing posts in India and Australia were also removed. At least one reporter was laid off while working in a war zone. Former executive editor Marty Baron called the move “among the darkest days” for the paper. He sharply criticised owner Jeff Bezos over leadership choices. Past reports put annual losses near $100 million. Union data shows median staff pay around $99,904. Bezos and publisher Will Lewis have not issued public statements. (PC: X)

Ukraine has officially recorded 55,000 soldiers killed in the war with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with French channel France 2. He said the figure covers both professional troops and conscripts killed on the battlefield. “Officially the number of soldiers killed on the battlefield… is 55,000,” Zelensky said. He added that many people are still listed as missing. The last official update from him in December 2024 put the toll at 43,000. Kyiv and Moscow rarely publish their own loss figures. Zelensky noted that missing cases remain high and some may be prisoners of war or unidentified dead.

Venezuelan official Alex Saab, a Colombian-Venezuelan businessman and close ally of former President Nicolás Maduro, has reportedly been arrested in Caracas as part of a joint operation between U.S. and Venezuelan authorities, according to U.S. law enforcement and Colombian media reports. Saab, once held in the United States on bribery and money-laundering charges and granted clemency for a prisoner swap, was detained early Wednesday and is expected to be extradited to the U.S. in the coming days. Government figures have neither fully confirmed nor denied the arrest, and his lawyer has called reports “fake news.” (PC: Reuters)

The Washington Post has laid off its Ukraine correspondent Lizzie Johnson as part of wide staff cuts across the newsroom. Johnson said she received the notice while reporting from the war zone. “I was just laid off… in the middle of a war zone. I have no words. I’m devastated,” she wrote on social media. The paper is owned by Jeff Bezos and is reducing about one-third of its staff, according to company statements. Several foreign bureaus and the sports desk are also affected. The editor said the paper needs “a new way forward” after financial losses.

Young voters helped force out Bangladesh’s long-time leader after deadly unrest in 2024, but older parties now look likely to win the upcoming general election. Student-led protests grew after a police crackdown that killed hundreds, according to the UN. Some youth leaders formed the National Citizen Party, but it is split and has limited reach. Many young voters are now backing established parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami and the BNP. “We are trying to prove ourselves,” one youth party member said. Women activists say they have been sidelined in candidate lists and alliances ahead of the vote. (PC: BBC)

An email said to be sent by Ghislaine Maxwell appears to support the authenticity of a photo showing Prince Andrew with Virginia Giuffre. Andrew has long questioned the image and said in 2019 he could not be in it because he was at a Pizza Express in Woking that day. A 10 January 2015 email includes a draft statement where Maxwell says she was in London in 2001 when Giuffre met “Prince Andrew” and that a photograph was taken. Giuffre’s family said the email “vindicated” her account. Andrew has denied all allegations and settled a civil case in 2022 without admitting liability. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump has said it is “really time for the country to get on to something else” after the Justice Department closed its review of Jeffrey Epstein files. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the document review found no grounds for new prosecutions. However, a House committee inquiry is still moving forward, with Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton set to testify. Lawmakers and Epstein victims say key records are still missing. Trump denied wrongdoing and said, “Nothing came out about me.” His name appears thousands of times in released files, mostly in past contacts and mentions. Survivors say they will keep pressing for more disclosure. (PC: BBC)