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.

LONDON, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca on Tuesday said its net profit jumped 45 percent last year on strong sales of cancer drugs, as it zoned in on the United States. Profit after tax rose to $10.2 billion in 2025 from $7 billion one year earlier, AstraZeneca said in a statement.

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. File photoDHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said that the interim government has made substantial progress in identifying individuals and destinations involved in money laundering. Dr Salehuddin Ahmed noted that upon assuming office, he convened a meeting on money laundering that had not been held for five years. He further observed that those who laundered money often employ highly skilled professionals and complex methods. Dr Salehuddin Ahmed urged the incoming administration to consolidate the progress made so far rather than restarting investigations from scratch.

Iran warns of 'destructive' influence on diplomacy ahead of Netanyahu's US tripIranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei. Photo: CollectedTEHRAN, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran warned Tuesday of "destructive" influence on diplomacy ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington for talks expected to focus on US negotiations with Tehran. "Our negotiating party is America. It is up to America to decide to act independently of the pressures and destructive influences that are detrimental to the region," said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei in a weekly press briefing. "The Zionist regime has repeatedly, as a saboteur, shown that it opposes any diplomatic process in our region that leads to peace."

DHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - The Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase today recommended approval of separate fertilizer procurement proposals totaling 55,000 metric tons aimed at ensuring uninterrupted supply of agricultural inputs across the country. In another decision, the committee recommended approval of a proposal from the Ministry of Industries to import 30,000 metric tons of bagged granular urea fertilizer from Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO) during the 2025-26 fiscal year. The procurement will cost Taka 158.65 crore, with the per-ton price fixed at US$431, including bagging charges. Officials said the fertilizer imports are crucial to meeting domestic demand during the upcoming cultivation seasons and maintaining food security. The day’s purchase committee meeting also recommended approval of two proposals for the construction of fertilizer buffer godowns in Meherpur and Thakurgaon districts to strengthen storage and distribution facilities nationwide.

Symbolic PhotoDHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - The Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase today recommended approval of a proposal for procuring some 5,38,65,000 Anti-TB drugs (4FDC) under the revenue budget to strengthen tuberculosis control efforts. The Health Services Division proposed the purchase of 5,38,65,000 units of Anti-TB Drug (4FDC) under Package No GR-2557 at a total cost of Taka 77.57 crore. Health officials said the procurement will ensure uninterrupted availability of life-saving medicines across government health facilities and support the national TB elimination programme. The cartridges will be supplied by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to ensure uninterrupted diagnostic services, particularly for TB and other infectious diseases. Officials said the decisions reflect the government's commitment to strengthening health services, education infrastructure and energy planning through transparent procurement processes.

Pakistan's government on Monday directed the country's cricket team to play India in the T20 World Cup on February 15 in Colombo, ending a week-long stand-off. Late Monday, it emerged that Sri Lanka Cricket, the Emirates Cricket Board and the Bangladesh Cricket Board had all written to the PCB requesting Pakistan play the match against India. The ICC added that "an agreement has been reached that Bangladesh will host an ICC event prior to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2031". "Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket eco system." India and Pakistan only play each other in multi-national events such as the World Cup or Champions Trophy.

IRI election observer team led by David Dreier meets Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna today. Photo : CA's Press WingDHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - An election observer team of the US-based International Republic Institute (IRI) met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna here today. Former Congressman David Dreier led the five-member delegation, said the Chief Adviser's Press Wing this afternoon. Principal Coordinator for SDG at the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) Lamiya Morshed and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting.

SEOUL, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A dispute that saw South Korea's players threaten to boycott next month's Women's Asian Cup over "discriminatory conditions" has been resolved, football officials in the country said Tuesday. South Korea's national women's squad last year complained of "poor" treatment by the Korea Football Association (KFA) compared to their male counterparts. A statement from September, made public in January, said players would boycott games and training ahead of the Asian Cup if the KFA did not address their concerns over travel, training facilities and accommodation. The KFA said that starting from this year, the association would provide business-class travel for all women's team squad members when long-haul travel was involved. The squad will convene at South Korea's national training centre on Sunday before leaving for Australia four days later.

Bangladesh–US Trade Agreement Signed: Duty-Free Facility for Some Garment Exports Staff Correspondent, Dhaka (Monday, 9 February 2026)Bangladesh has signed a trade agreement with the United States. At the same time, duties have been completely withdrawn on garment exports made with cotton and synthetic fibers imported from the United States. The Ministry of Commerce said the agreement was signed online, with Bangladesh represented by Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin and the United States by its Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer. Bangladesh entered into the agreement with the aim of reducing its trade deficit with the United States. He also expressed hope that it would help reduce the trade deficit between the two countries.

In an election season rife with misinformation and anxiety, it goes without saying that policies governing the media and voters must be clear, timely, and well explained. Journalists play a critical role during election periods, and when rules affecting their work are issued abruptly, without a clear rationale or proper communication, the result is confusion and speculation. The very need for a clarification underscores how important it is for election regulations to be carefully considered and announced without ambiguity. Voters, journalists, and election officials must understand the process thoroughly in order to navigate it without unnecessary hurdles. To preserve trust, reduce confusion, and ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process, there is no alternative to upholding transparency in both policy formulation and communication.