Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said he is unaware of any proposal for him to join a future political government as a minister. When asked whether he would consider accepting such an offer if it were made, the finance adviser suggested that the matter is unlikely to arise. Dr Salehuddin said he had stepped away from academic engagements to serve in government and has already received invitations to return. “I took leave from my professional engagements to serve in the government. Now two universities have approached me and asked me to return,” he said.

Bangladesh has ranked 13th among the world’s most corrupt countries in 2025, according to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Out of 182 countries assessed, Bangladesh scored 24 out of 100, significantly below the global average score of 42. Based on the overall ranking, the country stands at 150th position. In the 2024 CPI, Bangladesh ranked 14th among the most corrupt countries. At the other end of the spectrum, South Sudan and Somalia jointly ranked as the most corrupt countries, each scoring 9.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan announced that he wants to step down from his post. He made the announcement around 3pm during a press briefing held at the Professor Abdul Matin Chowdhury Virtual Classroom, adjacent to the vice-chancellor’s office. He said: "I will seek relief from my deputation, and I will return to my primary role as a teacher in the Department of Development Studies." More to follow...

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will address the nation at 7pm on Tuesday on the occasion of the upcoming general elections and the referendum on the July Charter slated for Thursday. Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar will air the speech, said chief adviser's Press Wing.

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Tuesday said all preparations for the 13th national parliamentary election and the referendum have been completed. Ballot papers for all these seats have already been dispatched, and all election materials have reached their destinations,” he said. Akhtar Ahmed added that ballot papers are being transferred in phases from the offices of returning officers to assistant returning officers and presiding officers, indicating that polling preparations are completed. The EC senior secretary also urged journalists to uphold responsible reporting. Regarding election results, Akhtar Ahmed said results from postal ballot centres under returning officers may take slightly longer than those from other polling stations.

Mahdi Amin, spokesperson for the BNP’s Central Election Steering Committee and adviser to the party chairman, claimed Tuesday that a landslide victory for the BNP is inevitable if a free, fair, and credible election is held. “Given the massive public surge in favor of the sheaf of paddy across the country, a free, fair, and credible election will inevitably result in a BNP landslide,” He said at a press conference at the BNP Election Steering Committee office in Gulshan, Dhaka. “Those who constantly speak of integrity, opposition to corruption, and justice—if they attempt to buy votes, it is extremely shameful,” he said. “In each of these incidents, we urgently call for intervention by local administration, including returning officers and law enforcement agencies,” he said. Amin concluded that despite propaganda, conspiracy, financial manipulation, or violence, democracy-loving people will resist and assert their rights.

Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin.File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin today said that the signing of Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States (US) is a pivotal milestone for bilateral relations. The commerce adviser said this while speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Commerce conference room in the city, said a press release. By establishing a predictable and transparent trade environment, the framework seeks to attract high-value foreign direct investment (FDI) and enhance trade facilitation,” he added.

PARIS, France, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A study published on Tuesday showedthat more than half of the world's coral reefs were bleached between 2014-2017 -- a record-setting episode now being eclipsed by another series ofdevastating heatwaves. The analysis concluded that 51 percent of the world's reefs endured moderateor worse bleaching while 15 percent experienced significant mortality overthe three-year period known as the "Third Global Bleaching Event". It was "by far the most severe and widespread coral bleaching event onrecord", said Sean Connolly, one the study's authors and a senior scientistat the Panama-based Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. "2014-17 was the first record of a global coral bleaching event lasting muchbeyond a single year," the study said. "We are only just beginning to analyse bleaching and mortality observationsfrom the current bleaching event," Connolly told AFP.

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Electrical faults lead fire causes as nation records 27,059 incidents in 2025DHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - The country witnessed surge in fire incidents in 2025, with a total of 27,059 cases-an average of 75 fires every single day, according to a press release of Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD). Electrical faults alone accounted for 34.7 percent of all incidents, emerging as the leading cause of fires nationwide, it also said. The Fire Service identified electrical faults as the leading cause of fires, accounting for 9,392 incidents (34.71%). There were also incidents caused by gas cylinder explosions, chemical accidents, children playing with fire, hot ashes, electric coils, and firecrackers. As part of awareness and preparedness efforts, the Fire Service conducted 15,865 exercises, 3,722 fire drills, and provided basic fire safety training to over 173,800 people nationwide.

What started as 37% is now down to 19% with additional benefits for selected items," he said, soon after the agreement on reciprocal tariff was signed between Bangladesh and the United States. The agreement on reciprocal tariffs between Bangladesh and the United States was signed on Monday. Negotiations on the agreement spanned over nine months since April last year, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. The US will further reduce the reciprocal tariff to 19%, which was originally set at 37% and later reduced to 20% in August last year. Commerce Secretary of Bangladesh Mahbubur Rahman and Assistant US trade Representative Brendan Lynch were present at the signing ceremony.

Photo: BSSCHAPAINAWABGANJ, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - Import-export operations at Sonamasjid Land Port in Shibganj upazila of the district will remain suspended for three days starting Wednesday due to the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. He said that February 13 (Friday) is a regular weekly holiday, while import-export activities will remain closed on February 11 and 12 in observance of the parliamentary election. Normal port operations, including import and export activities, are scheduled to resume on Saturday, February 14. According to the Sonamasjid Land Port Authority, although import-export operations will be halted for two days due to the election, immigration services will be suspended only from 6:00 am on polling day until 6:00 am the following day. The authority also stated that the movement of passport-holding passengers will continue as usual on days other than the polling day.

In particular, an interim arrangement has been made to pay the dues of teachers even if there is no board for some reason. This ordinance will be called the Private Educational Institution Teachers and Employees Retirement Benefits (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026. The ordinance has restructured the governing council of the Retirement Benefits Board. The ordinance emphasizes the word 'approval' instead of 'granting' retirement benefits. In addition, as per Section 12(2) of the amended Act, a 'Director' will be at the centre of the administrative activities of the Retirement Benefits Board.

Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumdar-File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - The interim government has achieved 10 major milestones in land management with the goal of making land-related services simple, transparent and harassment-free for citizens. According to the report, the government launched the 'land.gov.bd' platform in January 2025 to bring all land services under one umbrella. Through the Land Service Gateway (LSG), citizens can now access mutation, land tax, maps and other services using a single login. The upgraded land tax system has introduced duplication checks and e-parcha verification, allowing citizens to view reasons for holding suspension directly from their profiles. To enhance transparency in officer transfers and inventory management, the land management system has been interconnected with the GEMS system of the Ministry of Public Administration.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter-File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today said the government has enacted and amended a number of acts, ordinances and regulations to protect the interests of marginal farmers while ensuring sustainable production, resource conservation and public health safety. "The government has enacted and amended multiple acts, ordinances and policies within the shortest possible time to ensure sustainable production, preserve resources, ensure public health safety and protect the interests of marginal farmers," she said. She said the government has also framed the National Fisheries Policy, 2026, National Fisheries Award (Padak) Policy, 2026, Fish Feed Rules, 2024, Fisheries Quarantine Rules, 2024, and Fish and Fish Products (Inspection and Quality Control) Rules, 2025. In the livestock sector, she said the government has formulated the National Poultry Development Policy, 2026, the Quarantine of Animal and Animal Products Ordinance, 2026, the Livestock Risk Protection Insurance Policy, 2026, the National Artificial Insemination (AI) Policy, 2026 (draft), and the Veterinary Medicines Ordinance, 2026 (draft). The mobile sales programme will be implemented at different locations in coordination with local entrepreneurs and concerned stakeholders.