The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock of Bangladesh has clarified that the government has not granted any approval for hilsa fish farming through artificial or indoor methods. In a press release issued on Monday, the ministry urged the public and all concerned parties not to be misled by misinformation or rumors circulating in the media and on social platforms regarding such farming initiatives.

According to the statement, the ministry reviewed recent discussions and reports about hilsa cultivation using recirculating aquaculture systems in controlled environments. A meeting held on February 1 at the ministry, chaired by adviser Farida Akhter, concluded that hilsa is a vital geographical indicator product deeply linked to Bangladesh’s rivers, coastal ecosystems, food security, and the livelihoods of many fishers. The ministry emphasized that hilsa production depends on natural breeding cycles and river-based environments, making any artificial cultivation initiative highly sensitive and policy-dependent.

The ministry further stated that any research or experimental activity related to hilsa must comply with existing laws, policies, and national interests, and must receive prior approval from relevant authorities. Unauthorized activities will not be accepted.

A devastating snowstorm across the United States has claimed more than 100 lives, with the highest fatalities reported in New York, Kentucky, and Tennessee. North Carolina also experienced multiple deaths and over a thousand vehicle collisions due to icy roads. In Kannapolis, 14 inches of snow were recorded, while Charlotte and Greenville saw more than 11 inches, marking Charlotte’s fourth-highest snowfall on record.

Significant snowfall was also reported in South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein confirmed two deaths from road accidents. In Florida, temperatures dropped to record lows, with Vero Beach and Melbourne reaching 27 and 26 degrees respectively, breaking decades-old February records. Along the East Coast, winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour intensified the cold.

Weather forecasts suggest that temperatures in the northeastern United States may rise slightly in the coming week, with wind speeds expected to decrease.

An analysis by Tofayel Arif, published on February 2, 2026, highlights the growing cybersecurity risks associated with public internet use in Bangladesh. The report explains that public Wi-Fi networks, available in hotels, restaurants, malls, hospitals, and parks, often lack strong security verification. These open networks allow multiple users to connect without unique credentials, making them vulnerable to data theft and hacking.

The article identifies several major threats, including weak or absent data encryption, man-in-the-middle attacks, fake Wi-Fi networks, social media and email hacking, financial data exposure, malware infections, and unauthorized device control. It warns that children and teenagers are particularly at risk due to lower awareness of online safety. In Bangladesh, the problem is compounded by limited cybersecurity awareness, weak password practices, and disabled two-factor authentication.

The report advises users to avoid banking or sensitive transactions on public Wi-Fi, disable auto-connect, use HTTPS websites, log out after use, and consider VPN protection. Regular device and app updates are also recommended to reduce exposure to cyber threats.

Ferry services on the Mongla River in Bagerhat have been severely disrupted due to a navigability crisis, leaving operations suspended for about 20 hours each day. As a result, ambulances, trucks, and other vehicles are forced to wait for high tide to cross, causing widespread suffering among residents and traders. The disruption has particularly affected the transport of perishable goods and emergency patients.

According to the Roads and Highways Department in Bagerhat, the ferry service was launched in 2003 after two terminals were built at a cost of around 2.5 million taka. Initially, the service reduced transport time and costs, becoming popular among locals. However, within a few years, siltation began to obstruct navigation, and the situation has now worsened, with only one ferry currently operating.

Mongla municipal administrator and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sharmin Akter Sumi acknowledged the problem, stating that repeated terminal extensions failed to solve it. She said dredging is the only permanent solution and that the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority has been contacted to take prompt action.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a reduction in tariffs on Indian goods following a phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under the new agreement, the U.S. will lower tariffs on Indian products from 25 percent to 18 percent, while India has pledged to eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers on American goods. Modi expressed gratitude to Trump for the decision, calling it beneficial for both nations.

Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social that the discussion also covered the Russia–Ukraine war. He claimed Modi agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil and instead buy from the U.S. and Venezuela, leading to the removal of an additional 25 percent penalty previously imposed on India. As part of the deal, India will purchase over $500 billion worth of U.S. goods, including energy, technology, agricultural products, and coal.

The agreement follows months of trade tension after the U.S. imposed tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian goods last August, sharply reducing Indian exports. The new deal is viewed as a major step toward easing that strain. (Sources: BBC, Reuters)

Samomilito Islami Bank PLC held its fourth board meeting on Monday at the City Center in Motijheel, Dhaka. The meeting was chaired by the bank’s chairman, Mohammad Ayub Mia, PhD, and attended by members of the board of directors. The executive director in charge of the Bank Resolution Department of Bangladesh Bank also participated in the session.

Administrators from five banks currently undergoing merger processes with Samomilito Islami Bank were present at the meeting upon the board’s invitation. The gathering marked a continuation of the bank’s ongoing coordination with regulatory authorities and merging institutions.

The meeting reflected the bank’s efforts to advance its merger process and strengthen institutional collaboration under the supervision of Bangladesh Bank.

The Chattogram Port Protection Struggle Council has declared a 24-hour work stoppage starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday to protest the government’s decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company. The announcement was made Monday afternoon at the port building premises by the council’s coordinator and nationalist labor leader Md. Humayun Kabir.

According to Kabir, port workers and employees have been demonstrating for the past three days against what they describe as a conspiracy to hand over the port to foreign control. He said participation in the protests has been growing, disrupting import deliveries, container handling, and the movement of cargo vehicles inside the port. Kabir accused the government of ignoring the port’s interests and instead transferring leaders involved in the movement, which has further angered workers.

The council demanded an immediate halt to the process of appointing a foreign operator at NCT and the cancellation of transfer orders for protesting workers. Kabir warned that if these demands are not met, more severe programs will follow.

Industry leaders and policymakers have called for coordinated efforts to strengthen Bangladesh’s light engineering sector to make it more export-oriented and globally competitive. The call came at the opening of the three-day Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo 2026, organized by the Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners Association (BAISHIMAS) in Dhaka on February 2. Speakers emphasized the need for capacity building, technological advancement, and policy support as the country prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in November 2026, which will gradually reduce duty-free export benefits.

EC4J Project Director Md. Abdur Rahim Khan said Bangladesh has yet to fully capitalize on global opportunities in light engineering despite its growing importance in export structures. He stressed enhancing government implementation capacity and private sector innovation. World Bank specialist Hosna Ferdous Sumi highlighted quality compliance, production efficiency, and cost reduction as key challenges, while BAISHIMAS President Abdur Razzak noted the sector’s 3% GDP contribution and potential to reach USD 12.56 billion in exports by 2030 with proper policy and investment.

Speakers also underscored the need for technology transfer, research support, and easier financing to accelerate industrial diversification and domestic market growth.

Several world leaders’ X (formerly Twitter) accounts were hacked ahead of major elections, highlighting growing misuse of social media. The report notes that U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were among those targeted. In 2020, four months before the U.S. presidential election, a large-scale cyberattack compromised verified accounts of Biden, Obama, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates. Hackers used these accounts to post fraudulent cryptocurrency offers before X regained control after about three hours.

Donald Trump’s X account was breached differently when Dutch cybersecurity researcher Victor Gevers claimed to have accessed it without complex tools, prompting the activation of two-factor authentication. Before the 2016 U.S. election, Russian hackers infiltrated the Democratic National Committee’s emails and leaked data, while accounts of Republican figures were also targeted.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s accounts were hacked multiple times, including in 2020 and 2021. One incident falsely claimed that the Indian government had legalized Bitcoin, after which the account was quickly secured and officials urged the public not to be misled.

Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has won his first Grammy Award in the audiobook, narration, and storytelling category. The award was announced at the Grammy ceremony held in Los Angeles, recognizing the audio version of his book 'Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama'. Currently living in exile in India, the 90-year-old leader expressed gratitude, calling the honor a recognition of shared human values rather than a personal achievement.

In a social media message, the Dalai Lama said he accepted the award with humility and gratitude, emphasizing peace, compassion, care for the environment, and unity as essential for the collective well-being of humanity. The audio project featured artists including Rufus Wainwright and Maggie Rogers, with Wainwright accepting the award on his behalf.

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 after a Chinese military crackdown and has since lived in India. The Chinese government labels him a separatist and claims authority over his succession, a claim he rejects, asserting that the decision rests solely with his office in India.

A sudden earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale struck large parts of Jammu and Kashmir early Monday morning. According to preliminary data from the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the tremor occurred at 5:35 a.m. The National Center for Seismology reported that the epicenter was located in Budgam district, about 10 kilometers below the surface, at coordinates 33.9°N and 74.76°E.

The quake was felt across several nearby areas, including Charar-i-Sharif, Pulwama, Srinagar, and Shopian. Many residents, awakened by the shaking, rushed outdoors in fear. Around the same time, a mild earthquake was also recorded in India’s Andaman region.

As of the latest reports, no casualties or property damage have been reported from the affected areas.

Bangladesh Bank announced that a newly designed Tk10 banknote will enter circulation on Tuesday. The note will first be issued from the central bank’s Motijheel office and later distributed through other branches. The announcement was made in a press release on Monday. The new note, signed by Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, measures 123 mm by 60 mm and features a watermark of a Royal Bengal Tiger’s face with a predominantly pink color scheme.

According to the central bank, the front side of the note displays an image of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and a background design of the national flower, the water lily. The reverse side features an image titled “Graffiti–2024.” Security features include a 2 mm-wide security thread inscribed with “10 Taka,” which changes color from red to green when tilted, and a see-through image showing the number “10” when held against light. Microprinted text “BANGLADESH BANK” appears on both sides.

Existing paper notes and coins will remain legal tender. Additionally, non-exchangeable specimen notes will be available for collectors at the Taka Museum for a fixed price.

Dhaka has ranked first among 100 cities worldwide for air pollution, according to data recorded on Monday morning. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Bangladeshi capital reached 259, categorized as very unhealthy. Measurements were taken around 8:15 a.m., and Swiss-based monitoring organization IQAir reported that pollution levels in one area of the city exceeded 400. Eight locations across Dhaka recorded particularly poor air quality.

At the same time, Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cairo in Egypt ranked second and third, with AQI readings of 247 and 227 respectively. The report noted that AQI levels above 200 are considered very unhealthy, while readings over 300 are deemed hazardous. The AQI scale classifies 0–50 as good, 51–100 as moderate, 101–150 as unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151–200 as unhealthy, and 201–300 as very unhealthy.

The data highlights Dhaka’s ongoing struggle with severe air pollution, which continues to pose serious health risks to residents.

For the second consecutive day, workers and employees at Chattogram Port have enforced a blockade protesting the government’s decision to appoint a foreign operator at the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT). The program, organized under the banners of the Nationalist Workers Party and the Workers-Employees Unity Council, has brought the country’s main import-export hub to a standstill. Although limited container handling continues at the jetty, no new goods are entering or leaving the port, raising fears of congestion in yards and off-docks.

The protest follows a High Court ruling favoring the government’s plan to hand over NCT operations to global terminal operator DP World. In response, the port authority has taken a hardline stance, transferring 11 workers so far and preparing a list of 180 for further action. Additional police have been deployed, and gatherings have been banned in the port area. A committee has been formed to assess financial losses, which stakeholders estimate to exceed hundreds of crores of taka.

Business leaders warn that prolonged disruption could harm the national economy, particularly the garment sector, and cause market instability if the deadlock continues.

Cash holdings outside banks in Bangladesh surged by about Tk 410 billion over December and January, according to Bangladesh Bank data confirmed by its spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The increase coincides with intensified campaign activities for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12. The central bank attributes the rise to withdrawals by candidates covering election-related expenses, while the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) is monitoring large or suspicious transactions.

Bangladesh Bank data show that cash outside banks rose from Tk 2.69 trillion in November to Tk 3.10 trillion in January. This reverses a previous downward trend observed from July to November. Former World Bank economist Zahid Hossain noted that such increases before elections are not unusual, as campaign spending often involves cash transactions. The BFIU has tightened oversight since January 11, requiring weekly reports on cash transactions of Tk 1 million or more.

Additionally, mobile financial services will be restricted from February 8 to 13 to prevent misuse of funds for voter influence. Daily transaction limits will be capped at Tk 10,000, with a maximum of Tk 1,000 per transaction, as directed by the BFIU at the Election Commission’s request.