Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed-File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today saidthat Bangladesh's economy is not in a bad shape right at this moment althoughit is facing formidable challenges that require sustained reforms, bettercoordination and strong political commitment from the next government. Speaking at a discussion meeting, the adviser said that despite multipledomestic and global pressures, Bangladesh has managed to maintainmacroeconomic stability and avoid a deep crisis. The Finance Adviser was addressing an event titled "Macroeconomic Insights:An Economic Reform Agenda for the Elected Government" as the chief guest heldat a hotel in the capital this afternoon. Dr Salehuddin noted that Bangladesh has shown resilience amid global shocks,including post-pandemic disruptions, geopolitical tensions, energy pricevolatility and tightening global financial conditions. The Finance Adviser said the interim government has focused on stabilisingthe macroeconomy, ensuring fiscal discipline, managing foreign exchangepressure and keeping essential economic operations continuing.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Japanese Prime Minister TAKAICHI Sanae. -Collage PhotoDHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today congratulated the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan on its historic and landslide victory in the election to the House of Representatives. In the message, Prof Yunus said, "This decisive mandate reflects the strong confidence and trust placed in your leadership and vision by the people of Japan". He added: "I am confident that, under your continued stewardship, Japan will further advance stability, prosperity, and constructive engagement both regionally and globally". "Please accept, Excellency, my best wishes for your good health and success, and for the continued peace, progress, and well-being of the people of Japan," Prof Yunus concluded.

Journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi. The court also ordered the investigation officer (IO) to appear in person on the next hearing date and submit his explanation in this connection. On September 30, 2024, the High Court ordered the formation of a high-powered task force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, removing RAB from the assignment. The government subsequently formed a four-member task force on October 23, 2024, through a Home Ministry’s notification. According to the notification, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) was named the task force convener.

Former Chief of Army Staff General (Retd) Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan. File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 09, 2026 (BSS) - Former Chief of Army Staff General (Retd) Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan has completed his testimony today in a case against former Director General of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC), dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan, over his alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and more than a hundred killings. General (Retd) Iqbal, who started his testimony as the first prosecution witness (PW) at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 yesterday, concluded today and was cross-examined by the defence thereafter. Earlier, on December 17, 2025, the prosecution submitted the formal charge, bringing three specific counts against Ziaul Ahsan. Ziaul Ahsan is currently in custody and facing trial in several cases involving allegations of abduction, torture, enforced disappearance, killings, and other crimes against humanity.

ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - A court here today set March 2 for holding a further hearing on charge framing in a sedition case filed against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 others. Of the 286 accused, 259, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, are still at large and are being tried in absentia. Upon receiving Home Ministry approval, CID ASP Md Enamul Haque filed the sedition case against Sheikh Hasina and 72 others with the court on March 27, 2025. After completing the investigation, the CID officer submitted a charge sheet on August 14 against 286 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina.

Head of Iran's atomic energy agency Mohammad Eslami. Photo: CollectedTEHRAN, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran is prepared to dilute its highly enriched uranium if the United States lifts all sanctions on the country, the head of its atomic energy agency said Monday after talks resumed with Washington. "In conclusion, in response to a question about the possibility of diluting 60 percent enriched uranium... the head of the Atomic Energy Organization said that this depends on whether all sanctions would be lifted in return," the official IRNA news agency reported, referring to agency chief Mohammad Eslami, without specifying whether this included all sanctions on Iran or only those imposed by the United States. Diluting uranium means mixing it with blend material to reduce the enrichment level, so that the final product does not exceed a given enrichment threshold.

City were heading for defeat at Anfield with six minutes to go before Bernardo Silva cancelled out Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning free-kick to spark an incredible finale. Haaland hooked another effort straight at Alisson among 10 first half City attempts without a breakthrough. - Guehi booed -Second half slumps have been a consistent feature of City's season and the visitors again faded in the second period until a late flurry saved their title challenge. Szoboszlai played Silva onside as he slid in to volley home Haaland's header for City's first second half goal in the Premier League this year. With Alisson remaining forward from the resulting corner, the Liverpool goal was open when Rayan Cherki took aim from the halfway line to roll the ball into an empty net.

We made history," said PSG coach Luis Enrique, hailing Dembele for his "incredible" performance. - Vitinha gets lucky -Marseille may feel aggrieved after PSG midfielder Vitinha escaped with only a yellow card for a high, studs?up challenge on captain Leonardo Balerdi in the opening minutes. PSG surged in front moments later as Desire Doue released Nuno Mendes with a superb ball down the left and the Portuguese wing-back squared for Dembele to slot past Marseille goalkeeper Jeffrey de Lange. After two closely-fought encounters this season, with PSG winning the Champions Trophy on penalties last month after a 2-2 draw in Kuwait, Marseille offered virtually nothing in the French capital. Lee also scored after coming off the bench as he drilled low past De Lange at his near post to complete a brilliant night for PSG.

Third-place Atletico Madrid slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Real Betis, three days after thrashing the Andalusian side in the Copa del Rey, falling further away from the top two. Alvaro Carreras put the visitors ahead midway through the second half and Mbappe struck late on to seal their win. England international Trent Alexander-Arnold made his return after injury as a substitute in the second half of Madrid's victory. Midway through the second half, Carreras conjured a goal out of nothing to give Madrid the lead. - Revenge mission -Antony's first-half strike helped Betis win at Atletico, earning his side revenge for their cup mauling, and leaving Atletico 13 points behind leaders Barcelona.

Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - A court here today ordered the freezing of 18 bank accounts belonging to journalists Shyamal Dutta and his wife Sanchita Dutta, and 11 accounts held by Mozammel Haque Babu, his wife Aparajita Haque, and their interest-linked institutions. In one petition against Shyamal Dutta and his wife, the ACC said information had been obtained regarding the acquisition of several movable assets in the names of Shyamal and Sanchita, their daughter, and interest-linked individuals or institutions. During the investigation, no clear or legitimate source of income was found to justify the acquisition of these assets. Therefore, freezing the movable assets is necessary in the interest of a proper investigation. As such, freezing the movable assets is deemed essential for a fair investigation.

A special meeting of the Council of Advisers was held today at the Chief Advisers' Office (CAO) in Tejgaon, with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair. Photo: PIDPhoto: PIDDHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) – Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today described the recently signed Bangladesh–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) as a historic and epoch-making deal for Bangladesh. He made the remarks while presiding over a special meeting of the Council of Advisers at his Tejgaon office here this morning. Later, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed the media at the Foreign Service Academy here this afternoon to share the outcomes of the meeting. The press secretary hoped that the Japan–Bangladesh EPA, signed on February 6, would help ensure Bangladesh’s prosperity and long-term economic growth.

At least 19 people were burned in a gas balloon explosion in Tongi, Gazipur on Monday. The incident happened in the afternoon at Tongi Bazar. According to locals, gas balloons had been stored in a room at Tongi Bazar for a BNP rally. The explosion occurred while removing them from the room. As a result, 19 people were burned.

DHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has imposed restrictions on the movement of motorcycles and certain other vehicles ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections and referendum scheduled for February 12. According to the EC directive, motorcycle movement will remain prohibited from midnight on February 10 until midnight on February 13. In addition, taxi cabs, pick-ups, microbuses, and trucks will be barred from operating between midnight on February 11 and midnight on February 12. The restrictions will not apply to vehicles engaged in law enforcement, armed forces, administration, emergency services, or those carrying medicines, medical supplies, and newspapers. Journalists, observers, and telecommunication service providers may also operate vehicles with prior approval from the EC or Returning Officer.

DHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Bank (BB) has decided to maintain its policy rate at 10 percent for the second half of fiscal year 2025-26 (H2 FY26), reinforcing a firm contractionary stance to anchor inflation. "BB will maintain the policy rate at 10.0 percent and continue its tight stance in H2 FY26. The SDF rate has been lowered to 7.5 percent to discourage commercial banks from idling excess funds at the central bank, he added. The BB chief noted that achieving a positive real policy rate-where the interest rate exceeds the rate of inflation-is essential for stabilizing the Taka. The central bank reported a turnaround in the external sector after adopting a market-based exchange-rate regime in May 2025.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday said public security would be the highest priority if his party forms the government, pledging to take strict measures to ensure safety and law and order across the country. Speaking at an election rally at Pirjangi Mazar Road in Motijheel, Dhaka in support of Mirza Abbas, the sheaf of paddy candidate for Dhaka-8, Tarique said the party would bring the law-and-order situation under strict control. He claimed that changing the fate of the people and eliminating corruption could only be achieved through BNP leadership. Dhaka-8 candidate and BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas, Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal President Afroza Abbas, and other local leaders also addressed the rally. The BNP chairman campaigned earlier in the day at a total of eight election rallies across the capital, including Dhaka-17, Dhaka-10, Dhaka-9, and Dhaka-5 constituencies, in support of the sheaf of paddy candidates.