Bangladesh’s interim government is set to sign a new trade agreement with the United States on Monday, just three days before the national election. Commerce adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin said at a press conference on Sunday that the deal could reduce the recently imposed additional 20 percent trade tariff. He noted that discussions were ongoing and that the government aimed to achieve zero tariffs on garments, the country’s main export product.

Bashiruddin explained that the public disclosure of the agreement’s terms had previously led to higher tariffs, but the government still managed to bring them down to 20 percent compared to competitor countries. He expressed regret that the publication of the deal’s conditions limited Bangladesh’s negotiating flexibility. The adviser defended the timing of the agreement, citing the need to protect export earnings worth one trillion taka and safeguard around 700,000 jobs.

He also pointed out that US tariffs have been fluctuating recently, referencing a sharp increase in Korea’s tariff rate within days. The adviser said the government did not want to leave a heavy tariff burden for the next administration.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin defended his appointment as chairman of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines board, saying he acted within the law. Speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat on Sunday, he noted that 22 ministers and advisers had previously held the same position. Appointed on August 26, 2025, his dual role had drawn criticism, but he maintained that no legal boundaries were crossed.

Bashiruddin also expressed optimism that the 20 percent tariff imposed by the Trump administration on Bangladeshi goods would be reduced following an upcoming agreement. He said Bangladesh had taken steps to narrow its six‑billion‑dollar trade deficit with the United States, including a proposal to purchase aircraft from Boeing. A negotiation team led by Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud is currently discussing the deal.

At the same event, Civil Aviation Secretary Nasreen Jahan detailed recent reforms, including new ordinances to regulate air ticket distribution and travel agencies, which have lowered ticket prices. She also announced new leasing rules and initiatives to make Hajj flights more efficient and affordable.

Public Private Partnership Authority CEO and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury said there is no possibility of signing the lease agreement for Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) with UAE-based DP World during the tenure of the current interim government. He made the statement at a press conference held on Sunday at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, where the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was also present.

Chowdhury stated that a letter from DP World arrived at the Chief Adviser’s Office on Sunday morning, in which the company appreciated the progress of ongoing negotiations and expressed satisfaction. DP World confirmed that it had reviewed the draft concession agreement but requested additional time for further evaluation. With only two working days left in the interim government’s term, Chowdhury noted that completing the approval and signing process within this period would be difficult.

Work on leasing the terminal began in 2019, and final-stage negotiations started last month. Meanwhile, the Chattogram Port Protection Struggle Council has launched an indefinite work stoppage demanding that the terminal not be leased, halting container delivery operations at the port.

A new documentary titled 'Sobar Age Hasimukh' highlighting the humanitarian and compassionate side of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman was released in Dhaka. The film portrays his quiet acts of kindness toward people and animals, showing how he has supported underprivileged families and neglected creatures without seeking publicity. The premiere show took place on Saturday evening at Star Cineplex in Mohakhali, where party leaders and guests attended.

BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan said the documentary reveals Rahman’s long-standing welfare work for humans and animals that he never publicized. Advisory Council member Md. Ismail Jabiullah noted that he initially thought it was a political film but later realized it beautifully depicted a man’s humanity. Director Jubayer Babu emphasized that the film is not political propaganda but a story of a person striving to bring smiles to others.

After the screening, guests praised the documentary’s production and content, calling it a timely and significant record. The film has also been released on social media platforms.

The interim government of Bangladesh has formed a committee to review and recommend actions on the salary-related reports submitted by the National Pay Commission-2025, Bangladesh Judicial Service Pay Commission-2025, and Armed Forces Pay Committee-2025. The Cabinet Secretary has been appointed as the head of the committee, which includes senior secretaries from the ministries of Public Administration, Defence, Finance, Secondary and Higher Education, the Chief Adviser’s Office, Health Services, and Law and Justice, along with the Comptroller General of Accounts.

According to the report, the committee will examine the salary-related issues presented in the three commissions’ reports and prepare recommendations for the government’s next steps. The formation follows the submission of the National Pay Commission’s report to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on January 21, 2026, by commission head Zakir Ahmed Khan.

Earlier, on July 27, 2025, a 21-member pay commission was established to develop a new salary structure for government employees, with a six-month deadline to submit its recommendations.

A joint force operation in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar detained 622 Rohingyas, including men, women, and children, for living illegally outside designated refugee camps. The operation, led by Cox’s Bazar Executive Magistrate Monju Bin Afnan, began early Sunday and covered areas such as Palongkhali, Thaingkhali, and Balukhali. Authorities also fined local landlords a total of 157,000 taka in 13 separate cases and sentenced three house owners to jail for renting homes to Rohingyas.

According to the upazila administration, the detainees included 211 men, 196 women, and 200 children who had been living in rented houses across Ukhiya. The arrested individuals will be processed through the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC). Officials said the operation aimed to maintain law and order ahead of the national election and prevent unauthorized settlement outside the camps.

Law enforcement agencies stated that such drives would continue regularly to ensure security and discipline in the area, as illegal Rohingya settlements had previously been linked to deteriorating law and order conditions.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has directed authorities to take firm measures against the forgery and misuse of skill development certificates to preserve Bangladesh’s reputation in the international labor market. He issued the directive on Sunday at the Governing Body meeting of the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) held at his office in Tejgaon. This was the second meeting of the NSDA Governing Body since its establishment in 2018.

During the meeting, the Chief Adviser emphasized that NSDA provides a strong framework for developing skilled human resources based on national and international labor market demands. He warned that certificate fraud undermines the credibility of Bangladeshi workers and could erode employer trust. He highlighted the importance of a unified certification system across all training institutions to curb such malpractice and strengthen Bangladesh’s brand image abroad.

The meeting also reviewed progress on previous decisions and approved plans to establish an integrated skills ecosystem. This system aims to standardize training curricula across ministries, reduce public spending waste, and enhance the reliability of Bangladeshi skill certificates in global markets.

An intense Arctic cold wave has swept across the eastern United States, placing about 80 million people under weather alerts. According to ABC News, extreme cold warnings have been issued across most of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. The combination of frigid air and strong winds has driven wind chills far below freezing, with dangerous conditions reported from the Great Lakes to the Carolinas since early Saturday.

In coastal New England, snowfall has begun to ease, though an inverted trough caused heavy snow in some areas, with rates reaching up to 2.5 inches per hour. Temperatures across much of the Northeast have dropped into single digits, and wind chills are expected to remain below zero. Major cities such as New York, Boston, and Buffalo may experience wind chills near minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, while parts of upstate New York and northern New England could see readings between minus 20 and minus 30 degrees Celsius.

The weather service indicated that conditions may gradually improve from Monday as winds weaken and temperatures begin to rise across the eastern region.

At least 12 people have died and hundreds of thousands have been affected after Tropical Storm Basyang, the Philippines’ second-strongest storm of 2026, struck Mindanao Island. The country’s Civil Defense Office reported that continuous heavy rainfall and landslides caused widespread destruction. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, abnormal rainfall levels were recorded in Northern Mindanao and nearby Negros Island, directly impacting about 232,000 people. Floodwaters submerged numerous villages, forcing around 64,000 families to leave their homes.

The Philippine weather bureau said Northern Mindanao experienced its heaviest rainfall in a century, causing rivers to overflow and three major bridges to collapse in Iligan City and surrounding areas. Drainage systems were damaged, leading to severe flooding. Around 16,000 families have been relocated to government shelters, while at least 82 seaports in Mimaropa and Caraga regions were temporarily closed, stranding over 4,000 passengers and several cargo vessels.

Although the storm weakened into a low-pressure area early on February 7, authorities remain on alert as heavy rain and landslides continue to threaten affected communities.

Bangladesh has expressed interest in buying freight wagons and coaches from Pakistan at a lower cost, according to a report by Pakistani newspaper The Dawn on February 8. A two-member Bangladeshi delegation, led by a senior official, visited Pakistan Railway’s carriage factory and workshop in Mughalpura, Lahore, as well as facilities in Islamabad. During the visit, they observed the production process of train coaches, wagons, and related components.

Officials from Pakistan Railways said the delegation included Bangladesh’s Secretary for International Organization and Consular Affairs and the Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mohammad Iqbal Hussain Khan. Chief Mechanical Engineer Muhammad Nasir Khalili briefed them on the workshop’s operations, technical capacity, and ongoing projects, and a short documentary was shown. The delegation also toured the locomotive workshop, where they were informed about engine maintenance and production. At the end of the visit, Bangladeshi representatives said the trip reflected the strong relationship between the two countries.

Pakistan’s Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi stated that enhanced railway cooperation would benefit both nations. He added that Bangladesh is also in talks with India for similar purchases but has shown interest in Pakistan as well.

Syria has signed several multi‑billion‑dollar investment agreements with Saudi Arabia aimed at rebuilding its war‑torn economy after 14 years of civil conflict. The deals, announced on Saturday by Syrian Investment Authority chief Talal al‑Hilali, cover aviation, energy, housing and telecommunications. Projects include constructing a new international airport in Aleppo, launching a low‑cost airline named Flynas Syria, and implementing a major telecom initiative called SilkLink to strengthen regional connectivity.

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al‑Falih said the newly launched Elaf Fund will invest about US$2 billion to develop two airports in Aleppo, while Syria’s ICT Minister Abdul‑Salam Haykal confirmed a US$1 billion telecom investment to lay thousands of kilometers of fiber‑optic cables linking Asia and Europe. The Syrian Energy Ministry also signed a separate deal with Saudi firm ACWA Power for water and energy projects. Analysts view the agreements as politically significant following Bashar al‑Assad’s ouster in December 2024 and the lifting of U.S. sanctions.

International reactions have been largely positive, though some analysts caution that many previous investment pledges in Syria have yet to become binding contracts.

Bangladesh’s Payra Port, once envisioned as the nation’s third major seaport to boost southern regional growth, has become mired in political interference, questionable contracts, and escalating costs. The project’s dredging expenses have reached 500 million dollars, financed not through regular taxation but by drawing from the country’s foreign currency reserves. Experts warn that this approach undermines economic stability and transparency, as the port continues to struggle with heavy sedimentation and limited operational progress.

The article highlights that successive governments have promoted Payra as a symbol of progress and climate resilience, despite repeated scientific warnings about the site’s unsuitability due to high silt levels. German geologist Dr. Hermann Kudrass and Bangladeshi economist Wahiduddin Mahmud both criticized the project’s economic and environmental logic, calling it a drain on public funds. Officials privately acknowledge that continuous dredging has become a permanent financial burden.

The report concludes that Payra Port now represents a broader pattern of politically driven megaprojects in Bangladesh—visibly grand but economically unsustainable, with taxpayers bearing the long-term cost while accountability remains elusive.

The trial of dismissed army officer Major General Ziaul Ahsan began Sunday at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder. Former army chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan appeared before the tribunal to testify against Ziaul. The prosecution opened the proceedings with its introductory statement before the three-member panel, which also includes Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. The tribunal is scheduled to record the testimony of the first witness today.

Earlier, on January 14, the tribunal rejected Ziaul’s petition for discharge and formally framed charges against him. The case involves allegations of crimes against humanity, including enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League’s one and a half decades in power. The charges detail three major incidents, including the killing of detainees in Gazipur in 2011, mass executions in Barguna’s coastal areas, and staged “gunfights” in the Sundarbans under operations named Nishankhali, Mora Bhola, and Kotka.

The tribunal proceedings mark the first phase of a high-profile case alleging over a hundred enforced disappearances and killings attributed to Ziaul’s command.

The trial of dismissed army officer Major General Ziaul Ahsan begins today, Sunday, at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka. The three-member tribunal, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, will open proceedings with the prosecution’s introductory statement. The other members are Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. The first witness testimony is also scheduled for recording today. Earlier, on January 14, the tribunal rejected Ziaul’s plea for discharge and formally framed charges against him.

Ziaul Ahsan faces three charges of crimes against humanity, including the killing of detainees in Gazipur in July 2011, mass executions in the coastal areas of Barguna’s Patharghata, and staged “gunfights” in the Sundarbans under the guise of anti-bandit operations. The prosecution alleges that these acts resulted in the deaths of over a hundred people during the Awami League’s one-and-a-half-decade rule.

The tribunal proceedings mark a significant step in addressing allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings attributed to security operations during that period.

As Bangladesh’s new government prepares to assume power following the election, public concern is rising over rapidly increasing prices of essential goods ahead of Ramadan. The article warns that controlling the soaring market will be the administration’s first major challenge, as past political transitions have often been exploited by unscrupulous traders to destabilize prices. Commodities such as rice, lentils, oil, sugar, and vegetables have already begun to rise sharply, threatening affordability for middle- and low-income families.

The report highlights that around 2.1 million tons of food products are currently stuck at Chattogram Port, creating fears of an artificial shortage if clearance delays persist. A lack of lighter vessels and storage facilities is worsening the situation. The piece attributes market instability not to supply shortages but to syndicates that hoard goods and manipulate prices, taking advantage of weak monitoring by local authorities.

It urges immediate government intervention to dismantle these syndicates and ensure stable supply before Ramadan, emphasizing that maintaining reasonable prices will be the new administration’s first and most critical test of credibility.