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.

Bangladesh and the United States are expected to sign a bilateral trade agreement in Washington on February 9, aimed at reducing U.S. counter-tariffs on Bangladeshi goods and expanding trade benefits. Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said the draft agreement has been prepared and submitted for approval. He confirmed that the signing date has been set and that final tariff rates will be determined by that day.

The U.S. initially imposed counter-tariffs of 37 percent and later 35 percent on Bangladeshi products under the Trump administration, but after several rounds of talks, the rate was reduced to 20 percent on July 31 last year. Although no formal agreement was signed then, discussions continued to secure further tariff cuts and duty-free access for garments made with U.S. cotton. To gain these benefits, Bangladesh has pledged to reduce its trade deficit with the U.S. by increasing imports of Boeing aircraft, fuel, LNG, wheat, and cotton.

The Commerce Secretary also noted that Bangladesh is pursuing free trade agreements with other countries, including Japan and South Korea, to address post-LDC graduation challenges and enhance export growth.

The three-day Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo 2026 began on Monday, February 2, at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Center in Dhaka’s Minto Road. The event was inaugurated by Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, Project Director of the Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) project. The expo, running until February 4, showcases the latest technologies, machinery, and innovative products from the country’s light engineering sector.

Speakers emphasized coordinated efforts to make the sector export-oriented and competitive as Bangladesh prepares to graduate from LDC status in November. They highlighted the need for capacity building, technology advancement, and policy support to offset the loss of duty-free trade benefits. The World Bank’s Hosna Ferdous Sumi noted that both export and domestic markets, worth around USD 8 billion, offer major opportunities but stressed quality compliance and production efficiency as key challenges.

BSCIC President Abdur Razzak said the sector contributes about 3% to GDP, employs 300,000 skilled workers, and meets half of the USD 8.2 billion domestic demand. With proper policy and investment, exports could reach USD 12.56 billion by 2030, he added.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has increased the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for February. The price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder has been raised by 50 taka to 1,356 taka. The new rate will take effect from 6 p.m. on Monday. Alongside, the price of autogas has also been increased by 2.34 taka per liter, setting the new consumer price at 62.14 taka per liter including VAT.

According to BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed, the February adjustment follows the previous revision on January 4, when the price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder was raised by 53 taka to 1,306 taka. Similarly, autogas prices were last adjusted on January 4, when the rate was increased by 2.48 taka per liter to 59.80 taka per liter including VAT.

The latest price adjustment reflects BERC’s monthly review process for LPG and autogas rates, which are periodically revised based on market conditions and other regulatory considerations.

Global oil prices declined on Monday following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump expressing optimism about reaching a deal with Iran. In early Asian trading, West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 3.4 percent to 62.99 dollars per barrel, while Brent crude fell 3.2 percent to 67.09 dollars.

The price movement followed weeks of heightened tension between Washington and Tehran. After anti-government protests in Iran were met with a crackdown, Trump had threatened military action and ordered an aircraft carrier to the Middle East. He has been pressing for a new agreement over Iran’s nuclear program. On Sunday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei compared the protests to an “uprising” and warned that any military intervention would lead to a regional war.

Responding to Khamenei’s comments, Trump told reporters he hoped for a deal but said time would determine whether Khamenei’s stance was right or wrong.