U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to halt purchases of Russian oil and instead buy from the United States and Venezuela. Trump made the statement Monday night after announcing a reduction in tariffs on Indian goods. Following a phone call with Modi, Trump said the new agreement would lower U.S. tariffs on Indian products from 25 percent to 18 percent, while India pledged to remove tariffs and non-tariff barriers on U.S. goods.

According to Trump’s post on Truth Social, the discussion also covered the Russia–Ukraine war. He said the deal would lift the additional 25 percent penalty imposed on India for buying Russian oil. As part of the agreement, India will purchase over 500 billion dollars’ worth of U.S. products, including energy, technology, agricultural goods, and coal. Trump described the deal as beneficial for both trade and global stability.

Modi expressed satisfaction on social media platform X, thanking Trump for lowering tariffs and emphasizing that cooperation between the two largest democracies benefits ordinary people. The agreement follows months of trade tension after the U.S. imposed tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian goods last August.

Brigadier General Abdullahil Aman Azmi testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 as the third witness in a case concerning alleged abduction and torture inside the Joint Interrogation Cell, known as Ayna Ghar. In his second day of testimony on Monday, he described being taken from his Moghbazar residence on 22 August 2016 and held for years in DGFI custody. He said interrogators repeatedly questioned him about his writings critical of India and his supposed links to Jamaat-e-Islami, which he denied.

Azmi stated that during questioning, he was asked why he wrote against India and told his interrogators that if such writing was a punishable offense, he should be charged in court rather than detained illegally. He said his 30-year military career had taught him that India was the main adversary, and if that was a crime, all who taught it were equally guilty. He also described poor detention conditions, including bedbug-infested bedding and denial of basic necessities.

The tribunal scheduled cross-examination by defense lawyers for Thursday following the completion of Azmi’s testimony.

A man named Azizul Islam was caught by prison guards while serving a jail term in place of another accused in a drug case. The incident came to light on Monday, according to the Department of Prisons. The original accused, Md. Rajib, 26, from Kishoreganj’s Hossainpur area, had been sent to Gazipur District Jail on January 25 and later transferred to Kashimpur Central Jail-2 on January 31. During fingerprint verification for the online database, officials discovered major discrepancies in his identity.

Further checks revealed that the detainee’s real name was Md. Azizul Haque, son of Bachchu Mia. Upon interrogation, he admitted that he had agreed to serve the sentence on behalf of Rajib in exchange for money. Assistant Inspector General (Development) Jannatul Farhad Hossain described the incident as resembling a movie plot.

The discovery has raised questions about identity verification procedures within the prison system, though no further administrative action was reported in the source.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that the country’s total foreign exchange reserves have increased to 33.24 billion US dollars as of February 2, 2026. The information was confirmed by Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of the central bank, on Monday. According to the latest data, the gross reserve stood at 33.24 billion dollars, while under the International Monetary Fund’s BPM-6 calculation method, the reserve amounted to 28.74 billion dollars.

Earlier, as of January 15, the country’s gross reserve was 32.62 billion dollars, and the BPM-6 based reserve was 28.02 billion dollars. The BPM-6 method, used by the IMF, calculates net reserves by deducting short-term liabilities from total reserves to determine the actual reserve position.

The increase in reserves reflects a modest improvement in Bangladesh’s external financial position compared to mid-January, according to the central bank’s latest update.

A mild earthquake was felt in Bangladesh early Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at around 4:36 a.m. The tremor measured 4.1 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter located in Kalaroa, Satkhira. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) and India’s National Center for Seismology (NCS), the quake struck at a depth of 150 kilometers beneath the surface, which reduced its intensity.

Residents in Satkhira, Khulna, Jashore, and surrounding areas experienced light shaking, but no immediate reports of casualties or damage were received. The deep epicenter contributed to the mild nature of the tremor.

Just two days earlier, on Sunday morning, a separate mild earthquake had been recorded in Dhaka and nearby regions. That quake, measuring magnitude 3, originated southeast of Sylhet city, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has announced maximum security measures across Bangladesh ahead of the holy Shab-e-Barat night, which will be observed on the night of February 3. According to a press release issued by RAB’s Law and Media Wing on Monday, the force will remain on full duty to ensure the safety and peaceful observance of religious activities. Adequate RAB personnel will be deployed nationwide until February 4, with intensified patrols in Dhaka and other key cities, especially around major mosques, shrines, and areas with large gatherings.

The statement said both uniformed and plainclothes teams will be active, supported by static and mobile units ready to respond to any situation. RAB has also strengthened cyber monitoring to prevent the spread of rumors, provocative content, or anti-state and anti-religious propaganda on social media. Intelligence-based preparations have been made to prevent any attempt to disrupt the religious atmosphere. Citizens have been urged to contact RAB’s control room for emergency assistance and to cooperate in maintaining law and order.

Bangladeshi short film 'Scarlet Echoes' (Bengali title 'Raktim') has been officially selected for the main competition of the 56th Tampere Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious film events. Directed and written by young filmmaker Hemonto Sadik, the film is set against the backdrop of the historic July 2024 mass uprising. Out of 7,125 international submissions, only 60 films from 44 countries were chosen, with 'Scarlet Echoes' being the sole entry from Bangladesh.

The docu-fiction blends real footage from the 2024 July movement with fictional storytelling centered on Adnan, a photographer and single father, capturing the streets of Dhaka and the spirit of the people. Producer Dilruba Hossain Doel stated that the film was made without institutional support, shot mostly within the movement using a smartphone, and created entirely through voluntary collaboration.

Dedicated to late photographer Tahir Zaman Priyo, who was killed during the movement, the film will have its world premiere at the festival in Tampere, Finland, from March 4–8, 2026.

Private sector credit growth in Bangladesh fell to 6.10 percent at the end of December 2025, marking the lowest level in recent years, according to the latest Bangladesh Bank report. The growth rate stood at 7.28 percent during the same period in 2024. The central bank’s data show that private sector credit totaled Tk 17.88 trillion in December 2025, up from Tk 16.85 trillion a year earlier.

Industry insiders said the slowdown reflects weak demand for loans as businesses remain reluctant to invest or expand amid political uncertainty. Many are waiting for a peaceful political transition, and stakeholders believe that only a free and fair election could revive investment appetite. The subdued demand for credit has led to increased liquidity in the banking sector.

Bangladesh Bank had set a target of 7.2 percent private sector credit growth for the July–December period of the current fiscal year, but the actual growth fell short of that goal.

Bangladesh Bank has purchased an additional $218.5 million from 16 commercial banks, bringing its total dollar purchases to $4.15 billion since the start of the current fiscal year, according to Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The central bank’s move aims to maintain stability in the foreign exchange market, where dollar supply currently exceeds demand.

The report notes that Bangladesh’s dollar market became unstable in 2022, with the exchange rate rising from 85 to 122 taka per dollar. Over the past three fiscal years, the central bank sold about $34 billion to support the market but bought only around $1 billion during that period. Following the fall of the previous Awami League government, the current administration tightened measures against money laundering, boosting both exports and remittances and increasing dollar inflows.

As a result of higher remittances and central bank purchases, Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves rose to $33.18 billion as of January 29, or $28.68 billion under the BPM-6 calculation, up from $20.48 billion at the time of the previous government’s departure.

Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said the interim government tried to advance and stabilize Bangladesh’s economy but could not achieve everything. He warned that the coming economic challenges would be large and difficult, requiring strong measures to overcome. He made the remarks on Monday at Sonali Bank’s annual conference held at the International Convention City Bashundhara in Dhaka.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Finance Division Secretary Dr. Khairuzzaman Mozumdar, and Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mobarek attended as special guests, while Sonali Bank Chairman Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury presided over the event. Ahmed noted that Sonali Bank currently has no capital shortfall and a satisfactory advance-deposit ratio. He emphasized prioritizing loans for small and medium enterprises over large businesses, citing their role in job creation and lower risk.

Governor Mansur said state-owned banks often struggle to recover loans, forcing a contraction in lending. He urged Sonali Bank to move toward a fully commercial model and expand lending with greater confidence to strengthen its profitability and contribution to the broader economy.

Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, announced that his personal phone number had been hacked. He disclosed the incident on Monday through a post on his personal Facebook account, warning the public not to respond to any requests for money that might appear to come from his number.

In his Facebook post, the energy adviser clarified that he was not seeking any financial assistance and urged people to ignore such messages. The announcement was made to prevent possible misuse of his contact information following the hacking incident.

The report did not include further details about how the hack occurred or whether any official investigation had been launched into the matter.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has extended the deadline for submitting proposals for government-funded full-length and short films for the 2025–26 fiscal year. According to a recent notice signed by Deputy Secretary Mosha. Sharmin Akhter, applicants can now submit complete package proposals until March 1. The previous deadline for submitting stories, scripts, and overall production plans was January 29.

The ministry’s notice invited producers, directors, filmmakers, film professionals, related institutions, writers, and screenwriters to submit proposals for story and script selection under the government grant program. The initiative aims to promote the film industry and encourage creativity and talent. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, the ministry plans to provide grants for up to 12 full-length and 20 short films, totaling 32 projects.

According to the notice, applicants must submit 12 sets of complete package proposals, including one original copy, for both full-length and short film categories.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB-Gulshan Division) arrested a drug dealer named Abdur Rahim, aged 39, with 3,000 yaba pills during an operation in the Abdullahpur Bus Stand area under Uttara West Police Station on Monday night, February 2, 2026. The operation was conducted based on secret information, according to Deputy Police Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman.

DB-Gulshan sources said a specialized team carried out the raid in front of the Shah Fateh Ali Bus Counter in Abdullahpur, seizing the yaba pills and three mobile phones used in drug activities. A case has been filed against Abdur Rahim under the Narcotics Control Act at Uttara West Police Station.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that Abdur Rahim is an active member of a drug trafficking network and has been collecting yaba from various areas to sell across different parts of Dhaka city.

Two beekeeping workers were killed when a honeycomb transport truck overturned and fell into a roadside ditch in Rajoir upazila of Madaripur early Monday, February 2, 2026. The accident occurred around 4 a.m. near the West Rajoir Big Bridge divider on the Dhaka-Barishal Highway. The truck, carrying artificial honeycomb equipment, lost control and plunged into the ditch, killing both workers on the spot.

The deceased were identified as Rana, 27, son of Amjad, and Likhon, 18, son of Muktar, both from Sarishabari in Jamalpur district. Following the incident, the truck’s driver and helper fled the scene. Police from the Mostafapur Highway Station recovered the bodies and the vehicle. Officer-in-Charge Mamun Al-Rashid confirmed that legal procedures are underway regarding the accident.

Authorities have not yet provided details on the cause of the loss of control or the condition of the driver and helper, who remain at large.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) achieved major success in its special crackdown ‘Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2’, conducted across the capital on Sunday, February 1. The coordinated raids in 11 police station areas led to the arrest of 21 suspected criminals with firearms, ammunition, and locally made weapons. The operation was confirmed on Monday, February 2, by DMP’s Deputy Commissioner of Media and Public Relations, Muhammad Talebur Rahman.

The most notable results came from Mugda and Pallabi police stations. Mugda police detained four suspects and seized a foreign pistol, magazines, bullets, and various sharp weapons, while Pallabi police arrested three others with foreign firearms and live ammunition. Additional arrests were made in Khilkhet, Uttarkhan, Jatrabari, Mohammadpur, Rampura, Industrial Area, Shahbagh, Wari, and Hatirjheel. Among those detained were several known figures accused of robbery, extortion, and drug trafficking.

According to DMP, the ‘Devil Hunt’ mission aims to uproot criminal networks and ensure public safety. All detainees have been shown arrested in relevant cases and sent to jail through court procedures.